Subtitle Translation: How to Translate Video Captions Into Any Language

Subtitle translation means converting a video's captions from one language into another while keeping the timing intact. The fastest method is to transcribe the audio, translate the timed text, and export a new SRT or VTT. PlainScribe does all three across 47 languages at up to 99% accuracy for $0.067/min ($4 per audio hour).

TL;DR

• What it is: turning timed captions in one language into timed captions in another, without re-syncing.
• Two inputs: translate straight from a video's audio, or feed an existing transcript and translate that. PlainScribe handles audio-to-subtitle directly.
• 47 languages auto-detected and translatable in one flow.
• Cost: $0.067/min, or $4 per audio hour. A 30-minute video localized to one language costs about $2.01.
• Private and subscription-free: files auto-delete after 7 days; 30 free minutes to start.

What Is Subtitle Translation

Subtitle translation is localization for video. Each subtitle block has a timestamp and a line of text; translation swaps the text into a target language while leaving the in/out times untouched, so the captions still land on the right frames. Done well, it also adapts idioms, units, and cultural references rather than translating word for word.

Why Translate Your Subtitles

• Reach: captions in a viewer's native language are the difference between a video that travels and one that stops at a border.
• Accessibility: translated subtitles serve both non-native speakers and deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers in that language.
• SEO: platforms index caption text, so multilingual subtitles surface your video for searches in each language.

How to Translate Subtitles With PlainScribe

1. Open PlainScribe and upload your video or audio (up to 200MB, common audio/video formats).
2. It transcribes the original audio at up to 99% accuracy, auto-detecting the source language.
3. Pick a target language from the 47 supported. PlainScribe translates the timed transcript, preserving every timestamp.
4. Export the translated SRT or VTT and attach it to your video. Repeat the language step to ship multiple tracks from one upload.

Because the original timing is reused, you never re-time anything after translating.

Subtitle Translation: Tools Compared

| Tool | Languages | Translation model | Best for | |---|---|---|---| | PlainScribe | 47 (transcribe + translate) | AI, pay-as-you-go | Variable volume, no subscription | | Sonix | 37+ | AI, hybrid pricing | Teams already on Sonix | | Rev | Human + AI | Human option | Premium accuracy budgets | | Happy Scribe | Many | AI + human add-on | Subscription users |

Verdict: for translating subtitles without committing to a monthly plan, PlainScribe's pay-as-you-go pricing and 47-language coverage are the most flexible. Compare options in best AI translation tools.

FAQs

How do I translate subtitles into another language? Upload the video to PlainScribe, let it transcribe the audio, choose a target language, and export the translated SRT or VTT. The timestamps from the original transcript carry over automatically.

Can I translate an existing SRT file? The cleanest route is translating from the source audio so timing stays exact. If you only have the video and need a different-language caption file, PlainScribe transcribes and translates in one pass. For SRT-file specifics, see SRT translation.

How many languages can I translate subtitles into? PlainScribe supports 47 languages for both transcription and translation, auto-detecting the source. You can export several language tracks from a single upload.

Is AI subtitle translation accurate enough to publish? For most content, yes. Transcription runs up to 99% accuracy and AI translation handles standard dialogue well. For commercial or legal releases, have a native speaker review idioms and cultural references.

How much does subtitle translation cost? $0.067 per minute, or $4 per audio hour. A 30-minute video costs about $2.01 to localize per language, and the $10 minimum buys roughly 150 minutes of credit.

Localize your next video in minutes. Start free with 30 minutes, no credit card. See also how to create subtitles from a video and adding Spanish subtitles.