Browser FFmpeg recipe
Add Text to Video Online with FFmpeg
Render a text label near the top-left corner of the video.
Command
Run this FFmpeg command
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf drawtext=text=Hello:fontcolor=white:fontsize=48:x=40:y=40 -c:a copy text-video.mp4When to use it
- simple labels
- watermark text
- caption drafts
How it works
- Upload the video.
- Change the drawtext text and position values.
- Run FFmpeg and download the labeled video.
Option reference
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
drawtext=text=Hello | Adds the visible text string. |
fontsize=48 | Sets the text size. |
x=40:y=40 | Positions the text from the left and top edges. |
Practical notes
- Use underscores or escaped characters if your text contains spaces.
- Drawtext availability depends on the FFmpeg build running in the browser.
FAQ
Can I place text at the bottom?
Yes. Change y to h-th-40 for a bottom offset.
Does adding text re-encode video?
Yes, drawing text changes frames and requires video encoding.