Many creators show two languages at the same time: the language they speak in a larger line, and a translation in a smaller line underneath. It lets one video reach two audiences without making two edits. CapsField calls this Two captions. This guide explains how it works, how to turn it on, and how to place and style the second line.
Two captions is a paid-plan option. If you are new to the editor, first read how to add captions to a video online.
The short version
In Prepare Your Media, switch on Two captions, choose the second language and press Generate. Your captions stay as they are, and the translation appears under them. For an existing project, open Caption Tools and use Add second caption. It uses the clip’s transcription minutes a second time.
Translation or Two captions: which one do you need?
CapsField has two related options, and they are easy to mix up:
| Translation | Two captions | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens to your captions | They are replaced by English | They stay exactly as they are |
| What the viewer sees | One line, in English | Your language, with a second language under it |
| Choose it when | You want English captions only | You want both languages on screen |
The two options are either/or: switching one on switches the other off.
Step 1: Turn on Two captions
- Drop your video on the dashboard to open Prepare Your Media.
- Choose the spoken language first. Two captions needs it, so that the second language can be a different one.
- Switch on Two captions. If your plan does not include it, the row shows the name of the plan that does.
- Under Second caption language, choose the language you want to show. English is selected by default for a non-English video. If your video is in English, pick another language.
- Read the note below the choice: Your captions stay as they are. The second language is added under them, and it counts the clip’s minutes a second time.
- Press Generate.
CapsField makes your main captions first, exactly as it always does. Then it translates your finished lines into the second language and adds them. The translation is based on your captions’ text, so your main captions are not touched or re-cut.
Step 2: Add a second caption to an existing project
You do not have to decide at the start. In any project that already has captions:
- Open Caption Tools above the Captions list.
- Scroll to Second caption.
- Choose the language and press Add second caption.
The panel reminds you that it counts the clip’s minutes a second time. If your plan does not include Two captions, the section shows which plan does.
What the second line costs
Two captions is billed in transcription minutes. The main run uses the minutes of your clip once, and the second line uses them again, so a one-minute video uses two minutes in total. Before the main run starts, the app checks you have enough minutes for both, so you are not left with captions and a translation that cannot be made. If a translation cannot be completed, you are not charged for it.
Step 3: Place and style the second line
The second caption is its own layer on the video. It follows its own timing, so changing how many words appear at once in your main captions does not affect it. You can change it in two places:
On the video. Hover the second line in the preview and a frame appears. Drag the frame to move it left, right, up or down. It snaps to the centre line so it stays aligned. Drag a corner to make the text bigger or smaller. Press the lock button to open a small toolbar with Size, Colour, Bold, Box (a dark box behind the text), a switch to hide it, and Remove second caption.
In Caption Tools. The Second caption section has the same controls plus Across and Up / down sliders for exact positions.
Good habits:
- Make the second line smaller than the main one, about 60% of the size, so the eye reads the main language first.
- Keep it close to the main caption and inside the safe zone.
- Use a Box or a clear outline so it stays readable on any footage.
- Choose a calm colour such as white or a light grey. Colour is for the main caption’s emphasis.
Check the translation
Automatic translation is good but not flawless. Play the video and read the second line against your captions. If the second language has phrases that need a human touch, check them before you publish. Note that the text of the second line cannot be retyped inside the editor yet. If a line is badly wrong, the quickest fix is to hide or remove the second caption and publish with one language, or add it again after fixing your main captions.
What Two captions does not include yet
- The SRT, VTT and transcript exports contain your main captions only. The second line is part of the picture in a video export.
- The second line does not have animation templates. It is a clean, readable line that you position and colour.
- Plug-in users (Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve) do not see it yet.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose any language for the second line?
You can choose from the same long language list as for the main captions, except the language that is spoken in the video.
Does Two captions change my main captions?
No. They stay exactly as they are, with the same words, timing and grouping. The translation is added as a separate line.
Is Two captions free?
It is a paid-plan option, and it counts the clip’s transcription minutes a second time. The plan name shown next to the option tells you which plan unlocks it.
Can I add it later?
Yes. Open Caption Tools in your project and choose Add second caption.
What if the second line is hidden by the platform’s buttons?
Move it up on the preview, keep it inside the safe zone, and check again before exporting.
Reach a second audience with one edit
Try CapsField free and caption a clip. Then compare Translation and Two captions on the same video to see which fits your audience. For a simple one-language workflow, our guides on Urdu captions and Hinglish captions are a good start.
