Quick Comparison: At a Glance
Closed Captions
- • Include all audio information
- • Describe sound effects and music
- • Identify speakers
- • Can be turned on/off
- • Required by law in many cases
Subtitles
- • Focus on dialogue translation
- • Assume audio is audible
- • Primarily for language barriers
- • May be burned-in or separate
- • Cultural adaptation focus
Understanding the Fundamental Differences
While often used interchangeably, closed captions and subtitles serve different purposes and audiences. Understanding these differences is crucial for content creators, businesses, and anyone involved in video production to ensure proper accessibility and legal compliance.
Purpose and Primary Audience
Closed Captions
Primary Purpose: Accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers
Assumption: Viewer cannot hear the audio and needs complete audio information
Subtitles
Primary Purpose: Translation and language support
Assumption: Viewer can hear audio but may not understand the language
Content and Information Scope
What Closed Captions Include
Dialogue & Speech
- • All spoken words
- • Speaker identification
- • Off-screen dialogue
- • Whispered or mumbled speech
Non-Speech Audio
- • Sound effects [DOOR SLAMS]
- • Music descriptions [UPBEAT JAZZ]
- • Ambient sounds [RAIN PATTERING]
- • Emotional cues [SIGHS HEAVILY]
What Subtitles Typically Include
Primary Focus
- • Dialogue translation
- • On-screen text translation
- • Cultural adaptation
- • Localized expressions
Limited Audio Cues
- • Important sound effects only
- • Music when plot-relevant
- • Speaker ID when unclear
- • Minimal non-speech audio
Technical Implementation Differences
| Aspect | Closed Captions | Subtitles |
|---|---|---|
| Display Control | Can be turned on/off by viewer | May be burned-in or selectable |
| File Formats | CEA-608/708, SCC, DFXP | SRT, VTT, ASS, SSA |
| Positioning | Fixed bottom center, may move | Usually bottom center, flexible |
| Styling | User-customizable (size, color) | Fixed styling, design-focused |
| Accuracy Standard | 99%+ verbatim accuracy required | Meaning accuracy, may condense |
Legal Requirements and Compliance
When Closed Captions Are Legally Required
United States
- • ADA compliance for public accommodations
- • Section 508 for federal agencies
- • FCC requirements for broadcasters
- • Educational institutions (Title II)
International
- • EU Accessibility Act
- • WCAG 2.1 AA compliance
- • National accessibility laws
- • Broadcasting regulations
Compliance Standards
- Accuracy: 99%+ for closed captions, 95%+ for subtitles
- Synchronization: ±1 second for captions, ±2 seconds for subtitles
- Completeness: All audio content must be represented in captions
- Readability: Appropriate reading speed and clear formatting
Choosing the Right Option for Your Content
Decision Framework
Choose Closed Captions When:
- • Legal compliance is required
- • Serving deaf/hard-of-hearing audiences
- • Content has important non-speech audio
- • Broadcasting or streaming platforms
- • Educational or corporate training content
Choose Subtitles When:
- • Translating for international audiences
- • Social media content optimization
- • Marketing and promotional videos
- • Foreign language films
- • Content where audio is assumed audible
Best Practice: Provide Both
For maximum accessibility and reach, consider providing both closed captions and subtitles:
- • Closed captions for accessibility compliance and deaf/hard-of-hearing viewers
- • Subtitles for international audiences and language learners
- • Multiple subtitle languages for global content distribution
- • SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-hearing) as a hybrid option
Production Workflow Considerations
Closed Caption Workflow
- 1. Complete transcription of all audio
- 2. Add sound effect descriptions
- 3. Include speaker identification
- 4. Precise timing synchronization
- 5. Quality assurance for accuracy
- 6. Compliance verification
Subtitle Workflow
- 1. Dialogue transcription/translation
- 2. Cultural adaptation
- 3. Text condensation for readability
- 4. Timing optimization
- 5. Style and formatting
- 6. Localization review
Ready to Create Professional Captions or Subtitles?
Use our tools to create the foundation for both closed captions and subtitles with proper timing and formatting.