How to Make an Audiogram for a Podcast

To make an audiogram for a podcast, pick a 30 to 60 second audio clip that makes sense on its own, put it over a background image of the show or guest, add a waveform that moves with the sound, burn in captions, and export a 9:16 or 1:1 video to post on social media with a link to the full episode.

Audiograms turn audio-only podcasts into something people can watch in a feed. This guide covers the four parts every good audiogram needs, the sizes to use, and three ways to make one, including free ones.

The short answer

An audiogram is a short video of a podcast clip: an image, an animated waveform and captions over 30-60 seconds of audio. Choose a stand-alone moment, set up a 1080 × 1920 or 1080 × 1080 frame, add the show art or guest photo, a waveform and large captions, export as MP4, and post it with a link to the episode.

Key takeaways

• Captions do most of the work: most people see an audiogram with the sound off.
• Pick a clip with a clear point in the first sentence, 30 to 60 seconds long.
• Use 9:16 for Reels, TikTok and Shorts; 1:1 or 4:5 for feeds.
• A guest's face usually stops the scroll better than show art alone.
• If your podcast is filmed, a video clip usually beats an audiogram.

Disclosure: we make QuickVeed and show how to do this in it, along with other ways. Details about other products come from their public pages, checked in October 2026 and linked at the end.

What is an audiogram?

An audiogram is a short video made from audio. It shows a static image (usually the podcast artwork or a photo of the speaker), a waveform or sound bar that moves with the voice, and captions of what's being said. It exists because social platforms are built for video: an MP3 can't be posted to Instagram or LinkedIn, but an audiogram can.

The format has limits. With no moving face, there is less to stop someone scrolling, so the clip and the captions have to carry it. If you record your podcast on camera, a vertical video clip of the speaker almost always does better; see how to turn a podcast into short clips. Audiograms are the right tool for audio-only shows, radio segments, phone interviews and voice notes.

The four parts of a good audiogram

Add a short headline at the top (what the clip is about, in under eight words), and the show name and episode somewhere small.

Audiogram, static image or video clip: which to use

An audiogram is one of three ways to put podcast audio in front of people on social media. Each fits a different situation:

If you only record audio, audiograms are the right default for social posts. If you record on camera even part of the time, put the effort into video clips instead and keep audiograms for the episodes without footage. And if you're deciding whether to start filming, a single webcam pointed at you while you record is enough to make vertical clips; see how to start a video podcast.

Step 1: Pick the right clip

The clip matters more than the design. Read the episode transcript and look for passages that a stranger can follow with no setup:

• A direct answer to one question.
• A surprising number or result.
• A strong opinion, said plainly.
• A short story with an outcome.

Start the clip on the strongest sentence, not the lead-in, and end right after the payoff. Avoid clips that begin with “and”, “so” or a reference to something earlier. Length depends on the idea, but 30 to 60 seconds works on every platform; more in how long should a podcast clip be.

A useful habit: while you edit an episode, mark three to five candidate moments with their start and end times. When the episode is done, the audiogram list is already written.

Export the clip as a WAV or high-quality MP3. Trim the silence at both ends and level the volume so it isn't quieter than the videos around it in the feed.

Step 2: Choose the size and layout

Make the audiogram in the shape of where you'll post it:

For exact current specs, check our social media video size guide. A layout that works in every shape, top to bottom: a headline, the image, the waveform, then captions in the middle third. Keep text away from the bottom and right edges of 9:16 videos, where platform buttons sit.

Step 3: Make the audiogram (three ways)

Option A: A free video editor

Any editor that handles images, audio and text can make an audiogram. In CapCut, DaVinci Resolve or iMovie:

1. Create a project at the size from Step 2, at 30 fps.
2. Add the background colour and image, and the headline as text.
3. Add the audio clip.
4. Add a waveform. Some editors include an audio visualiser effect. If yours doesn't, make a waveform image of the clip with our free audio waveform generator (PNG or SVG, your colours) and add a simple progress line that moves across it.
5. Add captions, either from the editor's auto-captions or an SRT file, and correct any mistakes.
6. Export as MP4 (H.264 video, AAC audio).

Adobe After Effects users can use its Audio Spectrum effect for a true moving waveform; it takes more setup but gives full control.

Option B: A dedicated audiogram app

Apps built for audiograms, such as Headliner, have templates, animated waveforms and auto-captions in one place, and some can create audiograms automatically from a podcast feed. They are the fastest route if you make many. Check each one's free plan for watermarks and export limits before you commit.

Option C: QuickVeed for the captions

QuickVeed doesn't animate waveforms, but it handles the captions, which take the longest to get right. Make the audiogram video without captions using Option A, then:

1. Upload the video in Captions & subtitles and pick one of 11 caption styles (Bold yellow, Karaoke fill, Clean white and others) and a position: bottom, middle or top.
2. Correct any lines in the transcript, such as names and product terms.
3. Get the captioned video. You can also translate the captions into any of 32 languages and make a captioned copy per language, for a show with listeners in several countries.

Cost for a one-minute audiogram: 2 credits for the transcript (1.5 a minute, rounded up) plus 3 credits for the burn-in (1 a minute, 3 minimum), so 5 credits per language. If your podcast is filmed, use Podcast to Clips instead: it finds the moments and makes vertical video clips with captions for 3 credits each after the transcript.

Step 4: Post it so people find the episode

• Write a caption that adds context: who's speaking, the one-line takeaway, and where to hear the rest.
• Link the full episode in the caption, link in bio or first comment, depending on the platform.
• Tag the guest, and send them the file so they can post it too.
• Post 3 to 5 audiograms per episode over the following week, not all on one day.
• Reuse the best ones. A strong audiogram can be posted again months later, especially if the topic comes back into the news.

Track which audiograms get watched and shared, and look for patterns: a type of guest, a topic, a format of headline. Those tell you which moments to clip next time and, often, which topics to cover in future episodes.

Headline examples

The headline at the top of the audiogram works like a hook. Some patterns that work for podcast clips:

• A result: “How we cut churn in half with one email”.
• A mistake: “The hiring mistake almost every founder makes”.
• A question: “Should you raise prices in a slow market?”
• A strong opinion: “Cold calling isn't dead. Bad cold calling is.”
• A number: “3 things to check before signing a lease”.

Keep it under eight words, and make sure the clip actually delivers what the headline promises.

Common audiogram mistakes

• Captions too small to read on a phone.
• A huge waveform that takes over the frame while the captions are squeezed.
• Clips that start mid-thought and need the previous minute.
• The same show-art image on every audiogram, so they all look like the same post.
• No link to the episode, so interested listeners have nowhere to go.

Frequently asked questions

What is an audiogram for a podcast?

A short video made from a podcast clip: an image, an animated waveform and captions over 30 to 60 seconds of audio, made to be posted on social media.

How long should an audiogram be?

30 to 60 seconds suits most platforms. Use up to 90 seconds only for a story that needs it.

Can I make an audiogram for free?

Yes. A free editor such as CapCut or DaVinci Resolve can combine an image, audio, a waveform and captions. Dedicated apps often have free plans with watermarks or limits.

What size should an audiogram be?

1080 × 1920 (9:16) for Reels, TikTok and Shorts; 1080 × 1080 or 1080 × 1350 for feeds; 1920 × 1080 for YouTube.

Do audiograms work on social media?

They work best with strong captions and a clear clip. If you film your podcast, a video clip of the speaker usually performs better.

How do I add captions to an audiogram?

Use your editor's auto-captions or an SRT file, or upload the finished video to a captions tool that burns styled captions in.

Try it with your own video

Upload your audiogram and get accurate, styled captions burned in, in any language. Upload a short clip, pick a caption style, and judge the captions for yourself. QuickVeed plans start at $18/month, and new accounts get a 14-day trial with 75 credits, no card needed. Sign up or see pricing.