Image Caption Adder
Add a caption to an image with a solid bar, a gradient scrim or an outline, with the contrast checked against the pixels actually behind the text.
Last reviewed by the Radiatus Cloud team
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Text over a photograph is a contrast problem
A caption placed directly on an image has whatever contrast the pixels behind it happen to provide, which varies across the text and changes completely with a different image. White text over a sky is invisible; the same text over the shadowed part of the same photograph is fine. Because the background is not a known colour, no fixed text colour is safe, which is why every reliable approach puts something between the text and the image.
A scrim is better than an outline
A gradient darkening the area behind the text keeps the image visible while making the background predictable, and it is what news organisations and streaming services use. An outline or drop shadow around each letter works and thickens the letterforms, which harms legibility at small sizes, particularly for readers with low vision. A solid bar is the most reliable of all and hides part of the image entirely.
Burned-in text is invisible to everything but the eye
Text drawn into an image cannot be read by a screen reader, cannot be selected, translated or searched, and does not reflow at a different size. Where the caption matters, real text in the page with the image behind it is better in every respect. Burning in is for cases where the image travels on its own, such as social media, where there is no page to carry the text.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my caption sometimes disappear?
Because the contrast depends on the pixels behind it, which vary across the text and change entirely with a different image. No fixed text colour is safe over an unknown background, which is why a scrim or a bar is needed.
What is a scrim?
A gradient darkening the area behind the text, which keeps most of the image visible while making the background predictable. It is the standard approach for captions over photographs.
Is an outline good enough?
It works and it thickens the letterforms, which reduces legibility at small sizes and particularly for readers with low vision. A scrim is better where there is room for one.
Should I burn text in or use real text?
Real text in the page wherever the image is displayed on a page, since burned-in text cannot be read by a screen reader, selected, translated or searched, and does not reflow. Burn in only when the image travels alone, such as on social media.
What size should the text be?
Large enough to survive the compression and downscaling the image will meet. Social platforms re-encode and resize aggressively, and text that is crisp in the original can be unreadable after that, so err considerably larger than looks necessary.
Privacy & Security
Everything runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
How to Use
Upload an image and enter your caption text to burn it in.
Disclaimer: This tool is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Results are for educational and utility purposes.
Related Tools
EXIF Viewer
ImageExtract hidden EXIF data (Camera, GPS, Settings) from images.
Favicon Generator
ImageGenerate favicons and app icons at every required size from one source image, with the exact HTML to reference them.
Placeholder Image Generator
ImageGenerate placeholder images at any size with custom colours and label text. Produced in your browser as downloadable files, no external hotlinking.