How to add two lines of text to a video

You want two lines of text to appear over your video, perhaps as an opening title, a name and location, or a short message. The exact controls vary by video editor, but the basic process is the same: add a text layer, position it, choose when it appears, then preview the export.

You can put both lines in one text box or use two separate text layers. Use one box when the lines should look and behave the same. Use separate layers when you want different sizes, positions, or timings.

Add two lines of text to a video

1. Open the video in your editor. Start a project and import your clip. If the editor asks for project settings, match the frame size and frame rate to the video so the finished clip does not look stretched or uneven.
2. Add a text layer. Find the editor's text or title controls, often called Text, Titles, or Add text. Place the text layer above the video clip on the timeline. Type the first line, press Enter, and type the second line. If pressing Enter finishes editing instead of making a new line, use two separate text layers.
3. Place the text where it is easy to read. Drag the text in the preview, or use the position controls if your editor has them. Keep it away from faces, captions, and important details. Leave a little space around the edges because some screens crop the outer area.
4. Set the text style. Choose a clear font and a size large enough to read on a phone. Use a color that stands out from the image. If the background changes between light and dark, add an outline, shadow, or a subtle background panel if your editor offers one.
5. Set when the text appears. Extend or shorten the text layer on the timeline so it covers the part of the video where you want the words visible. Play the clip from before the text appears to after it disappears, and check that both lines stay on screen for long enough to read.
6. Export a test copy. Choose a common video format such as MP4 if it is available. Watch the exported file, not only the preview, to check for cut-off text, unexpected line wrapping, or a change in position.

If you need the two lines to appear at different times, use separate text layers. You can also use separate layers when the first line should be larger than the second, such as a title above a smaller name.

Choose how the two lines should appear

Both lines appear together in one text box

This is the simplest choice for a two-line title. The lines share the same font, color, alignment, and timing. Adjust the width of the text box if the editor wraps a line in the wrong place, and check the preview at the final video size because a title that fits a large editing window may wrap on a phone screen.

Each line has its own text layer

Use two layers if the lines need different sizes, positions, or start and end times. For example, a short heading can appear first, followed by a smaller line below it. Keep the layers aligned in the preview, and make sure their timeline bars overlap for the full time both lines should be visible.

The text is hard to read over the footage

Bright or busy scenes can make text disappear even when the font is large. Try a stronger contrast, a thin outline, a shadow, or a solid panel behind the words. Avoid covering the subject just to find a blank area. If the background keeps changing, a background panel often works better than moving the text from shot to shot.

Fix common text overlay problems

1. Fix unexpected line wrapping. Widen the text box or reduce the font size slightly. Check for extra spaces, and preview the title at the same aspect ratio as the exported video.
2. Keep the words inside the frame. Move the text inward if letters are clipped at an edge. If your editor has a safe-area guide, use it to keep the title away from the edges. Check the exported file on a phone as well as on a computer.
3. Make the text stay visible long enough. Extend the text layer on the timeline. Read the lines aloud at a natural pace while playing the clip. If the words disappear before you finish, give the layer more time.
4. Stop the text from covering the subject. Move it to an open area, reduce its size, or add a background panel so it remains legible in a less distracting position. For a moving subject, check several points in the clip instead of judging only one frame.
5. Check a blurry or jagged export. Confirm the export resolution matches the project and original video. A small preview window can make text look rough, so judge the exported video at its intended size before changing the font or adding sharpening.

Make the text easy to read

Keep each line short. Viewers have less time to read an overlay than a page of text, especially when the video is moving. Use sentence case, leave a small gap between the lines, and avoid placing text over subtitles that are already part of the video.

Before sharing, watch the clip once with the sound off and focus only on the text. Check that both lines are readable, appear at the right moment, and do not hide anything important. Then watch it with sound to make sure the title does not distract from speech or other key audio.