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How to Programmatically Add Text Overlays to Videos with FFMPEGAPI.net

June 2026 FFMPEG API Team

In today's content-driven world, adding text overlays to videos is essential for conveying messages effectively. Whether you're creating a tutorial, a marketing video, or simply adding captions for accessibility, having the ability to programmatically add text overlays can save you time and enhance your video production workflow. FFMPEGAPI.net offers a powerful hosted REST API that allows developers to easily merge videos and add text overlays without the hassle of managing FFmpeg infrastructure. In this article, we'll explore how to add text overlay captions to your videos using the FFMPEGAPI.net API.

What is FFMPEGAPI.net?

FFMPEGAPI.net is a hosted REST API designed specifically for video and audio processing using FFmpeg, a powerful multimedia framework. With FFMPEGAPI.net, developers can perform complex media transformations without needing to set up a server or manage FFmpeg installations.

  • No server setup required.
  • API-key authentication to secure your workflows.
  • Ideal for automation, SaaS applications, and AI agents.

The Text Overlay Captions Endpoint

One of the most useful features of FFMPEGAPI.net is the ability to add text overlays as captions on your videos. The Text Overlay Captions endpoint allows you to render text on your videos at specified intervals, enhancing viewer engagement and comprehension.

  • Endpoint: POST /api/videos/add-text-overlay-captions
  • Accepts various parameters to customize your captions.

Using the Text Overlay Captions API

To add text overlays to a video, you need to make a POST request to the /api/videos/add-text-overlay-captions endpoint. Below are the required parameters you'll need to provide:

1. **video_url**: The URL of the video you want to overlay text on.

2. **text**: The caption lines you wish to display, separated by newlines.

3. **subtitle_style**: Optional style for your subtitles. Default is 'plain-white'.

4. **aspect_ratio**: Specify the aspect ratio of your video. Default is '9:16'.

import requests

url = 'https://www.ffmpegapi.net/api/videos/add-text-overlay-captions'

payload = {
    'video_url': 'https://example.com/video.mp4',
    'text': 'First line\nSecond line',
    'duration_per_line': 4
}

headers = {'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'}

response = requests.post(url, json=payload, headers=headers)
print(response.json())

Adding text overlays to videos programmatically has never been easier. With FFMPEGAPI.net, you can leverage a robust API to enhance your video production without the overhead of managing complex infrastructure. Start using the Text Overlay Captions endpoint today and take your video projects to the next level. Visit us at https://www.ffmpegapi.net to learn more and get started!

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