How to Dub a Video With ElevenLabs Dubbing

ElevenLabs dubbing translates a video’s speech into another language while keeping the original speakers’ voices, and it runs in two modes: fast automatic dubbing and the older, editable Dubbing Studio. Automatic dubbing costs 2,000 to 3,000 credits per minute, Studio dubbing 5,000 to 10,000. This guide walks through each step, the real credit math and the mistakes that waste a dub.

Last updated: October 2026. Plans and credit costs checked against ElevenLabs’ official pricing page.

What is ElevenLabs dubbing?

ElevenLabs dubbing is an AI tool that transcribes a video, translates the speech and regenerates it in the target language using voices that resemble the original speakers. It accepts uploaded files or links to hosted videos, and it bills in credits per minute of source media for each target language.

“Dubbing is the process of adding to or replacing the recorded audio”

Source: Wikipedia, Dubbing

Traditional dubbing needs translators, voice actors and a studio. ElevenLabs compresses that into one upload, which is why it appeals to solo creators localizing a channel. For how dubbing fits alongside the other ElevenLabs products, see the ElevenLabs review.

In short, it is a one-upload localization pipeline billed by the minute.

Automatic dubbing vs Dubbing Studio

Automatic dubbing and Dubbing Studio are the two ways ElevenLabs produces a dub. Automatic dubbing is the default, faster path that returns a finished dub with little input. Dubbing Studio is an editor where the transcript, translation and individual segments can be adjusted, which costs more credits per minute.

ElevenLabs’ docs describe Dubbing Studio as a legacy editor tied to the older Dubbing v1 model and in maintenance mode, receiving only critical fixes. Five differences decide which mode fits:

• Speed: Automatic dubbing returns a finished file with no manual steps, while Dubbing Studio adds review and editing time before the final export.
• Editing control: Dubbing Studio exposes the transcript and translation for correction and lets single segments be regenerated, which automatic mode does not.
• Credit cost: Automatic dubbing uses 2,000 to 3,000 credits per minute, against 5,000 to 10,000 for Dubbing Studio, roughly two to three times more.
• Export options: Dubbing Studio exports video, audio, timeline, caption and per-speaker files, while automatic dubbing returns a single lossless audio file.
• Product status: Automatic dubbing runs on the current model, while the docs describe Dubbing Studio as legacy and in maintenance mode.

Automatic dubbing suits most creators; Studio is for dubs where every line has to be correct.

What do you need before dubbing a video?

Preparing a video for dubbing means giving the AI clean speech to work from, because transcription errors carry through translation into the final voice. ElevenLabs accepts common formats such as MP4, MOV, MKV, MP3 and WAV, and a link from YouTube or TikTok works as well as a direct upload.

Five checks improve almost every dub:

• Clear dialogue: Speech that sits clearly above music and effects transcribes more accurately, which reduces translation errors and odd phrasing in the dubbed voice.
• Paid plan for publishing: ElevenLabs’ Terms limit free use to non-commercial purposes, and the Free plan’s dubs carry a watermark, so published dubs belong on a paid plan.
• Enough credits: A one-minute dub can cost up to 10,000 credits per language, so checking the balance first avoids a stalled project mid-month.
• Target language list: Deciding languages upfront matters because each one is charged separately, so three languages cost three times the credits of one.
• Original audio track: Keeping the source project or clean audio stem makes it easy to swap the dubbed track onto the original video later.

Clean source audio and a credit check prevent most failed or expensive dubs.

How to dub a video with ElevenLabs step by step

Dubbing a video with ElevenLabs is a six-step process in the web app, based on the official dubbing guide. The automatic path takes a file or link, a language choice and a confirmation, then returns a finished dub. Each step below names the decision that matters most.

1. Open Dubbing: In the ElevenLabs app, open Dubbing from the navigation menu and start a new dub.
2. Add the source: Upload a video or audio file, or paste a link from a site such as YouTube or TikTok.
3. Pick target languages: Choose one or more target languages, remembering that each language is charged separately.
4. Set speaker similarity: Optionally adjust speaker similarity to control how closely the dub keeps the original voices.
5. Review the cost and submit: Check the credit cost shown before confirming, then submit the dub for processing.
6. Download and review: Download the finished dub from the dubs list and watch it in full before publishing.

ElevenLabs shows the credit cost before the dub is confirmed, so the price is never a surprise.

Creators producing narrated videos from scratch rather than dubbing existing ones can follow the guide to creating faceless YouTube videos with AI.

Upload, choose languages, confirm the cost, then review the result before publishing.

How does speaker similarity affect the dub?

Speaker similarity is the dubbing setting that controls how closely the dubbed voice follows the original speaker. ElevenLabs’ docs explain that higher values stay closer to the source voice but can also carry more of the original accent into the new language, so the right value depends on the goal.

For a personal channel, high similarity keeps the creator recognizable across languages, which builds trust with a new audience. For a corporate explainer, a slightly lower value may sound more native to listeners. If the original voice will narrate many videos, a dedicated clone is often the better long-term route; the ElevenLabs voice cloning comparison explains Instant and Professional options.

Raise similarity for recognizability, lower it slightly for a more native accent.

How much does ElevenLabs dubbing cost in credits?

ElevenLabs dubbing cost is set in credits per minute of source video, per target language. Per the ElevenLabs pricing page, automatic dubbing costs about 2,000 credits per minute with a watermark and 3,000 without, while Dubbing Studio costs 5,000 with a watermark and 10,000 without.

A 10-minute video dubbed automatically without a watermark into one language uses 30,000 credits, the entire monthly allowance of the Starter plan. The table shows how many minutes each plan’s monthly credits cover:

Source: ElevenLabs pricing page (elevenlabs.io/pricing), checked October 2026. Minutes calculated from listed credits per minute.

Each extra target language multiplies these numbers, so a three-language channel needs roughly three times the plan.

Unused credits roll over for up to two months on paid plans, which helps with irregular dubbing schedules. The ElevenLabs credits guide covers rollover caps in detail.

Budget about 3,000 credits per minute per language for automatic dubs without a watermark.

What does the dubbing watermark mean?

The dubbing watermark is a marker applied to some dubs, and it determines which credit rate applies. The pricing page lists cheaper watermarked rates alongside no-watermark rates for both modes. ElevenLabs’ dubbing docs add that dubs created on the Free plan are watermarked and the watermark cannot be removed.

For anything published, the watermark-free output on a paid plan is the practical requirement, and commercial use needs a paid plan anyway. The ElevenLabs commercial use guide explains where the license line sits. Watermarked dubs remain useful for testing translation quality before committing credits to a final version.

Use watermarked dubs for tests and watermark-free dubs on a paid plan for publishing.

ElevenLabs dubbing API pricing

ElevenLabs dubbing API pricing is the dollar rate developers pay per minute when dubbing through code instead of the web app. The API pricing page lists three rates, from Dubbing v1 with a watermark at the low end to the newer Dubbing v2 model at the high end.

Source: ElevenLabs API pricing (elevenlabs.io/pricing/api), checked October 2026.

Dubbing v2 costs over four times the v1 no-watermark rate, so API users should test whether the quality difference justifies it for their content.

The docs also note that for Dubbing v2, transcript editing and audio regeneration through the API are limited to Enterprise plans.

API dubbing ranges from $0.33 to $2.20 per minute depending on model and watermark.

Exporting and publishing a dubbed video

Exporting is the final step that turns a dub into files ready for upload. Automatic dubbing returns a single lossless audio file, while Dubbing Studio offers several formats. ElevenLabs’ docs describe dubbed video as a high-quality preview rather than a production master, and recommend swapping the dubbed audio onto the original video.

Dubbing Studio exports five file types:

• MP4 video: A preview-quality video with the dubbed track already attached, useful for quick review or informal sharing before the final edit.
• AAC audio: A compressed audio track of the full dub that drops easily into most video editors as a replacement soundtrack.
• AAF timeline: Timeline data that professional editing software can import to rebuild the dub’s segment positions on the original edit.
• SRT captions: A subtitle file in the target language that adds accessibility and helps viewers follow along alongside the dubbed audio.
• Per-speaker WAV files: Separate tracks for each speaker, delivered as a zip, which allow volume and timing to be adjusted speaker by speaker.

For YouTube, uploading the dubbed audio as an additional audio track, or a separate localized video, keeps the original master intact.

Export the audio, place it on the original video, and keep the master untouched.

Is ElevenLabs dubbing good for YouTube channels?

ElevenLabs dubbing is a practical way for YouTube creators to reach new language audiences without re-recording. A single upload produces a translated track in the creator’s own voice style, and the product page says it can localize content across 90+ languages. Cost per minute is the main limit for long or frequent videos.

“Localize content across 90+ languages with AI dubbing”

Source: ElevenLabs Dubbing Studio

A channel publishing one 10-minute video a week, dubbed into one language without a watermark, needs about 120,000 credits a month, which fits the Creator plan’s 121,000 with almost no margin. The ElevenLabs for YouTube guide covers voiceover workflows and monetization in more detail.

Dubbing fits YouTube well when the plan is sized to minutes per month times languages.

Common ElevenLabs dubbing mistakes to avoid

Dubbing mistakes are avoidable errors that waste credits or produce awkward results. Most come from noisy source audio, unplanned language lists or skipping review. Because every minute and every language is billed, a failed dub costs real credits, so a short checklist pays off quickly.

Five mistakes cause most wasted dubs:

• Dubbing the full video first: Testing a short clip before the whole video reveals translation and voice problems while only a fraction of the credits are at risk.
• Ignoring background music: Loud music under speech confuses transcription, so mixing dialogue clearly above music produces cleaner translations and fewer odd phrases.
• Adding languages casually: Every extra language multiplies the credit cost, so dubbing only into markets with real audience demand protects the monthly budget.
• Publishing the preview video: The docs call dubbed video a preview rather than a production master, so the dubbed audio belongs on the original edit.
• Skipping a full review: Names, numbers and jargon can translate badly, so watching the complete dub before publishing catches errors viewers would otherwise notice.

Test small, dub only valuable languages, and always review before publishing.

Bottom line on ElevenLabs dubbing

ElevenLabs dubbing is a fast, voice-preserving way to localize videos, and automatic mode at 3,000 credits per minute without a watermark covers most creator needs. Dubbing Studio costs more and is in maintenance mode, so it fits only dubs that need line-by-line editing. The real constraint is credits per minute per language.

“Dubbing is where ElevenLabs credits disappear fastest, so plan by minutes and languages.”

Source: GrowthStackKit, ElevenLabs Review

For most channels, Creator at $22 a month covers about 40 minutes of automatic dubbing in one language, and Pro covers 200. The ElevenLabs pricing breakdown compares every plan if the math points higher.

Start with a short test clip, then scale to full videos once the translation quality checks out.

Frequently asked questions

The 12 most-asked questions about ElevenLabs dubbing.

How much does ElevenLabs dubbing cost?

The pricing page lists automatic dubbing at about 2,000 credits per minute with a watermark and 3,000 without. Dubbing Studio costs 5,000 credits per minute with a watermark and 10,000 without. Each target language is billed separately, so dubbing into two languages doubles the cost.

Can I dub a YouTube video with ElevenLabs?

Yes. ElevenLabs’ dubbing guide says a video can be uploaded as a file or added with a link from a site such as YouTube or TikTok. Rights to the source video still matter, so dubbing works best on content the creator owns or is licensed to adapt.

Is ElevenLabs dubbing free?

The Free plan’s 10,000 monthly credits can run a short dub, but ElevenLabs’ docs say Free plan dubs are watermarked and the watermark cannot be removed. The Terms also limit free use to non-commercial purposes, so publishable dubs need a paid plan.

What is the difference between automatic dubbing and Dubbing Studio?

Automatic dubbing returns a finished dub with little input and costs 2,000 to 3,000 credits per minute. Dubbing Studio lets the transcript, translation and segments be edited, costs 5,000 to 10,000 credits per minute, and is described in the docs as a legacy editor in maintenance mode.

How many languages can ElevenLabs dub into?

ElevenLabs’ Dubbing Studio page says it can localize content across 90+ languages. Language support can differ between models and features, so checking the specific target language in the app before starting a large project is the safest approach.

Does ElevenLabs dubbing keep the original voice?

Yes. Dubbing regenerates speech in voices that resemble the original speakers. A speaker similarity setting controls how closely the dub follows each voice, and ElevenLabs’ docs note that higher values can also carry more of the original accent into the new language.

Which plan includes Dubbing Studio?

The pricing page lists Dubbing Studio from the Starter plan at $6 per month. Starter’s 30,000 monthly credits cover only about 3 minutes of Studio dubbing without a watermark, so Creator or Pro is more realistic for regular editable dubs.

How many minutes can I dub on the Creator plan?

Creator includes 121,000 credits per month. At 3,000 credits per minute for automatic dubbing without a watermark, that covers about 40 minutes in one language. At 10,000 credits per minute for Studio dubbing without a watermark, it covers about 12 minutes.

What file formats does ElevenLabs dubbing accept?

ElevenLabs’ dubbing guide lists common audio and video formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, MP3 and WAV, along with links from hosted video sites. Clean dialogue that sits clearly above music produces the most accurate transcription and translation.

What can I export from Dubbing Studio?

According to the docs, Dubbing Studio exports MP4 video, AAC audio, AAF timeline data, SRT captions and separate WAV tracks per speaker in a zip. Automatic dubbing on the current model returns a single lossless audio file instead.

How much does the ElevenLabs dubbing API cost?

The API pricing page lists Dubbing v1 at $0.33 per minute with a watermark and $0.50 per minute without a watermark or in Studio. The newer Dubbing v2 model costs $2.20 per minute, so a 10-minute video costs $22 per language on v2.

Can I edit a dub after it is finished?

In Dubbing Studio, yes: the transcript and translation can be edited and individual segments regenerated. ElevenLabs’ docs say an existing automatic dub cannot be converted into a Studio project, so dubs that need editing should start in Studio from the beginning.