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How to use Vimeo AI to translate my video's subtitles

This feature requires a paid plan.

If your video's original audio is in a supported language and has a transcript, you can use Vimeo AI Credits to translate its subtitles. This article explains how to utilize Vimeo AI for translating the subtitles of your video.

In this article:

What to know before translating subtitles

Before you translate your video's subtitles, take note of the following:

  • You can pay for translations using AI credits. Translation costs are calculated as: 10 credits per minute x Video length (minutes) x Number of languages selected.
  • We recommend translating your video at the end of your workflow when you are confident that you will not need to make additional edits to its content.
  • If you edit your video's original subtitle transcript after using AI translation, you must manually edit the transcript for each language. The translated subtitles will not update automatically.
  • If you modify your video using the Video Editor, Trimmer, Text-based video editor, or if you replace your video, you must re-translate it. This will cost additional AI credits.
  • Using AI to translate videos on Vimeo is currently not supported on Vimeo mobile apps.
  • Team owners and admins can manage access to this feature for their teams. For additional information, visit About the Vimeo AI settings page.

How to translate your video's subtitles

To translate your video’s subtitles using Vimeo AI:

  1. Select your video from your Library
  2. Select the Vimeo AI button from the left-side toolbar of the video’s settings page.

  3. Select Translate Video.

    A video's settings page. On the left, a side navigation menu includes icons for Appearance, Languages, Interactivity, Editing, Analytics, and Vimeo AI, with 'Vimeo AI' highlighted. On the right, the main 'Vimeo AI' panel lists options including 'Translate video', 'Generate video details', 'Generate chapters', 'Generate highlights', and 'Ask about this video'. The 'Translate video' option is also highlighted.
  4. Select Subtitles Only and Continue. 
  5. Select the language(s) that you want to translate the video into. The cost of the translation will display. If you do not have enough credits, you will be prompted to purchase more.
  6. Select Finish and Save to begin the translation. 

The time it takes is approximately proportional to the video's length. After the translation is complete, you can manually edit your video’s transcript from the Languages menu of the video’s settings page.

A video's settings page. On the left, a side navigation menu includes icons for Appearance, Languages, Interactivity, Editing, Analytics, and Vimeo AI, with 'Languages' highlighted. The expanded 'Languages' panel shows 'English (original)' and 'Spanish' entries, each with a 'Subtitles (AI)' toggle. A 'Translate' button is below them. A pencil-shaped edit icon on the 'Spanish' row is also highlighted with a tooltip displaying as 'Edit'.

 

Translate subtitles for multiple videos at once

You can generate subtitle translations for multiple videos in a single action directly from your Library.

  1. In your Library, check the box next to each video you want to translate, or select a folder to include all videos in it.
  2. In the bulk actions toolbar that appears, select Translate subtitles.
  3. Choose the language or languages you want to translate into.
  4. Select Start to begin generating the translations.

Translations will process in the background. You'll receive a notification when they're ready, and the subtitles will appear in the Languages section of each video's settings.

What if my translation attempt fails?

If you encounter issues with your translation, visit Troubleshooting: Failed AI Translations for additional troubleshooting information.

Making the most out of AI translations

  • We strongly recommend manually reviewing translated subtitles for accuracy and clarity. AI is an experimental technology and may produce inaccurate or unsuitable translations.
  • To help the AI capture phrases or words specific to your team, company, or industry, consider adding them to your team’s custom vocabulary list.
  • Vimeo Enterprise users can also use Vimeo AI credits to translate their video’s audio. Learn how at 'How to use Vimeo AI to translate my video's audio and subtitles'.

Suggested next steps

Translate subtitles programmatically — Enterprise users can also trigger subtitle translations via the Vimeo AI API. This is useful for automating translation workflows. See How to use the Vimeo AI API for details.

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