OBS · Subtitles · Setup Guide

How to Add Subtitles to OBS

Add real-time subtitles to any OBS stream in under 2 minutes using StreamTranslate — no plugin, no download, no GPU required.

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Last updated: March 2026

Quick Answer

OBS does not have built-in real-time subtitle generation. The easiest way to add subtitles to OBS is using StreamTranslate: go to streamtranslate.live/control, create a room, copy the browser source URL, then add it as a Browser Source in OBS at 1920x1080. Subtitles appear live as you speak — no plugin required.

Why OBS Needs an External Subtitle Tool

OBS Studio is the most popular streaming software in the world with over 50 million downloads. However, OBS does not include native real-time speech-to-text or subtitle generation. Streamers who want captions must use an external overlay tool.

StreamTranslate solves this by providing a simple browser source URL. You paste it into OBS, resize the source, and subtitles appear in real time as you stream. The entire processing happens in the cloud — your PC never has to run local AI models.

  • Works with OBS Studio, Streamlabs, and XSplit
  • Streams to Twitch, YouTube Live, Kick, X (Twitter), TikTok Live, and more
  • Supports captions in your own language or translated into 10+ languages
  • Under 2-second latency from speech to subtitle

Step-by-Step: Add Subtitles to OBS

Step 1: Open streamtranslate.live/control in your browser. Sign in or create a free account.

Step 2: Create a new room. Select your speaking language (e.g., English) and the display language for subtitles. If you just want captions without translation, select the same language for both.

Step 3: Copy the overlay URL that appears in the room settings. It will look like: streamtranslate.live/overlay/[your-room-id].

Step 4: Open OBS Studio. In your scene, click the + button in the Sources panel and select Browser Source.

Step 5: Paste the URL into the URL field. Set width to 1920 and height to 1080. Check "Refresh browser when scene becomes active."

Step 6: Position the browser source at the bottom of your stream layout. The subtitles will appear there in real time when you go live.

Step 7: Start your stream. When you speak, StreamTranslate listens to your microphone and displays subtitles on screen within 1-2 seconds.

OBS Subtitle Setup Tips

  • Place the browser source at the very top of your source stack so it renders above game footage
  • Use a transparent background — StreamTranslate subtitles have a semi-transparent backing by default
  • Test your mic levels before going live — subtitles are driven by your microphone input
  • If you use a noise gate, make sure the threshold is not too aggressive or short phrases may get cut
  • Change subtitle language any time from the control panel without restarting OBS

Which Platforms Can I Stream to With OBS Subtitles?

Once subtitles are set up in OBS, they work on every platform you stream to because the subtitles are baked into the video output. Supported platforms include:

  • Twitch
  • YouTube Live
  • Kick
  • X (formerly Twitter) Live
  • TikTok Live (via OBS RTMP output)
  • Facebook Gaming
  • Rumble

Frequently Asked Questions

Does OBS have a built-in subtitles feature?

OBS does not have native real-time subtitle generation. You need an external tool like StreamTranslate, which provides a browser source URL you add to OBS as an overlay.

What is the best way to add subtitles to OBS?

The easiest method is using StreamTranslate. Create a room at streamtranslate.live/control, copy the overlay URL, then add a Browser Source in OBS at 1920x1080. Subtitles appear in real time as you speak.

Do OBS subtitles slow down my stream?

No. StreamTranslate processes audio in the cloud, so there is no GPU or CPU impact on your streaming PC. The browser source is lightweight and does not affect your frame rate.

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