how to create a timecode overlay in Premiere Pro
Jul 19, 2025 am 01:23 AMThere are two ways to add a timecode overlay in Premiere Pro: visual timecode and metadata embedding. 1. The visual time code is realized through the "time code" effect, which is suitable for the film review stage, and can adjust the font, position and other styles; 2. When the metadata embedding is displayed, check "Write time code to video" when exporting, which is suitable for delivery and is supported and supports MP4 and MOV formats. Pay attention to the starting time code setting, timeline continuity and software version compatibility issues during operation.
Adding a timecode overlay in Premiere Pro is not complicated, and it can be quickly achieved by mastering a few key steps. You can directly use the built-in function to generate time codes, or you can embed time codes by exporting settings, depending on your usage scenario.

Two common ways to superimpose time codes
Premiere Pro provides two ways to add time codes: one is to superimpose time codes on the video screen in real time , which is convenient for viewing during editing; the other is to embed time codes as metadata into video files , suitable for delivery and review or post-color tuning.

- Screen overlay time code : suitable for film review, feedback and modification stages, you can directly see the time information of each frame.
- Metadata embed time code : It will not be displayed on the screen, but can be read in supported players or software, suitable for use before formal delivery.
If you just want team members to see the time code clearly, the first method is more practical; if it is for archiving or outputting the master, the second method is more suitable.
How to add visual time code to the screen
To add a time code to the video screen, you can use the "Time Code" effect that comes with Premiere. The following are the specific operations:

- Open the sequence you want to add the timecode.
- Right-click in the Project panel → “New Project Project” → select “Time Code”.
- Set the start time code and frame rate (usually consistent with the sequence).
- Drag the newly created timecode anywhere above the video track (recommended to put it in V2 or higher).
- Play the preview and you can see the time code in the lower left corner. You can also double-click it to enter the settings to adjust the font size, position and color.
This method is simple and effective, especially suitable for making samples or build versions. If you need to customize your style, such as changing fonts or adding borders, you can manually make a more personalized overlay using the "Graphics" workspace.
How to include time code information when exporting
If you want the timecode not to appear on the screen, but want to remain in the video file, you can enable timecode writing in the export settings.
When exporting media:
- Select Export Media in Media Exporter
- Click the Settings button next to "Format"
- Check "Write timecode to video" (if format supports it)
Currently, both MP4 and MOV formats support this function, but different players have different levels of support for time codes. QuickTime Player can be displayed directly, while VLC requires plug-ins or specific encodings to be read.
Notes and FAQs
Although the time code looks simple, some details are easily overlooked:
- The starting time code is generally set to 00:00:00:00 or 01:00:00:00, and is selected according to industry habits.
- If multiple fragments are spliced together, ensure that the time codes on the timeline are continuous, otherwise a jump may occur.
- When using proxy clips, the time code may not be displayed correctly and you need to switch back to the original material to confirm.
Also, if you are using an older version of Premiere, some features may be limited, and it is recommended to upgrade to the latest version for better compatibility and feature support.
Basically that's it. Choose the right method according to your needs. The time code superposition is actually very simple, but it is easy to make mistakes due to small details. You will become proficient in trying a few more times.
The above is the detailed content of how to create a timecode overlay in Premiere Pro. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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