Change the audio language or turn on subtitles in a different language
YouTube lets you change the language you hear or read on most videos in two ways: by switching the audio track to a different language (if the uploader provided one), or by turning on subtitles in any language YouTube can auto-generate or that the creator added. The method depends on whether you want to hear a different language spoken, read translated words on screen, or both.
Not every video has multiple audio tracks or subtitle options. If a video was uploaded with only one audio language and no subtitles, you cannot change what you hear. You can still turn on auto-generated subtitles in many languages, though the accuracy varies depending on the original audio quality and how clear the speech is.
Key Takeaways
- Click the three-dot menu on the video player, then select "Audio and subtitles" to see all language options available for that specific video.
- Multiple audio tracks mean you can hear a different language spoken; auto-generated or creator subtitles let you read translations without changing the audio.
- Auto-generated subtitles work in dozens of languages but may contain errors, especially with accents, background noise, or technical terms.
- If a language option does not appear, the uploader did not provide it and YouTube cannot auto-generate it for that video.
How to switch to a different audio language
Start the video you want to watch. Look at the bottom right of the video player and click the three vertical dots (the menu icon). A dropdown menu will appear with several options.
Select "Audio and subtitles" from that menu. A panel will open on the right side showing all available audio languages for that video. If multiple languages are listed under "Audio," click the one you want to hear. The video will switch to that audio track when ready, and playback will restart from where you clicked.
If you see only one language listed under "Audio," the uploader did not provide alternate audio tracks. You cannot add one yourself. In this case, your only option is to turn on subtitles in a different language instead.
How to turn on subtitles in a different language
Open the same three-dot menu and select "Audio and subtitles." Look at the "Subtitles" section of the panel. If subtitles are currently off, you will see "Off" listed first.
Click on any language listed under "Subtitles" to turn them on in that language. The subtitles will appear at the bottom of the video when ready. If you want to turn subtitles off again, click "Off" in the same menu.
The languages shown depend on what the uploader provided. If the creator added subtitles manually in multiple languages, all of them will appear here. If only auto-generated subtitles are available, YouTube will show you a longer list of languages it can generate, often marked with "(auto-generated)" or a similar label.
Understanding auto-generated versus creator subtitles
Auto-generated subtitles are created by YouTube's speech recognition software. They are available in many languages, but they are not always accurate. Background noise, accents, mumbling, or technical terms can cause errors. Auto-generated subtitles are free and appear on most videos, but you should not rely on them for precise information.
Creator subtitles are written and uploaded by the video creator. These are usually more accurate because a person wrote them. Not all creators provide subtitles, and when they do, they may only offer them in one or two languages. Creator subtitles are marked differently in the menu than auto-generated ones.
If a language you need is not listed, YouTube may not have auto-generated subtitles for it, or the creator did not add them. Some languages have better auto-generation support than others. If you need subtitles in a language that is not available, you may need to find a different video on the same topic.
How to change subtitle appearance and size
Once subtitles are on, you can adjust how they look. In the same "Audio and subtitles" menu, look for an option labeled "Subtitles settings" or a gear icon. Click it to open subtitle customization options.
You can change the font size, background color, text color, and transparency. Making the text larger or adding a background color can help if subtitles are hard to read. These changes explore to all videos you watch, not just the current one, so you only need to adjust them once.
What to do if the language you need is not available
If the language option you want does not appear in the menu, the uploader did not provide it and YouTube cannot auto-generate it. This happens when YouTube does not yet support auto-generation for that language, or the creator chose not to add subtitles in that language.
Your options are limited in this case. You can try searching for the same video or topic uploaded by a different creator who may have provided subtitles in your language. You can also contact the video creator through the channel's "About" section and request subtitles, though there is no may provide they will add them.
Some languages with smaller speaker populations may not have auto-generation support yet. YouTube regularly adds new languages, so a language that is unavailable now may become available in the future.
Changing language on mobile devices
The process is nearly identical on phones and tablets. Start the video and tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the player. Select "Audio and subtitles" from the menu that appears. The same language and subtitle options will show up, and you can switch between them the same way as on a computer.
On mobile, the subtitle customization options may be in a slightly different location depending on your device and YouTube app version. Look for a gear icon or "Settings" option within the "Audio and subtitles" panel. The customization options work the same way as on desktop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a video I want to watch not have subtitles in my language?
The uploader may not have added subtitles in that language, or YouTube may not support auto-generation for it yet. Some languages have better subtitle support than others. You can try searching for the same content from a different creator, or you can request subtitles by contacting the channel directly.
Are auto-generated subtitles accurate?
Auto-generated subtitles are usually understandable but often contain errors. Background noise, accents, and technical terms cause mistakes. If you need precise information, compare auto-generated subtitles with creator-provided ones when both are available, or watch videos where the creator has manually added subtitles.
Can I read subtitles from a YouTube video?
YouTube does not offer a built-in read option for subtitles through the player. Some third-party tools claim to read YouTube subtitles, but using them may violate YouTube's terms of service. Check YouTube's official help center for current information on subtitle downloads.
What if the audio and subtitle languages are different?
You can watch with audio in one language and subtitles in another. For example, you can listen to Spanish audio while reading English subtitles. This is useful for language learning or when you want to hear the original performance but need to understand the words.
Do all videos have multiple audio tracks?
No. Most videos have only one audio track in the language the creator uploaded. Multiple audio tracks are common on professional content, movies, and educational videos, but many creators upload only one version. If a video has only one audio track, you cannot change what you hear.