Closed Captioning vs. Subtitles

We've all seen social media videos, movies, television programs and TV shows with text displayed at the bottom of the screen. But you may have yet to notice the slight differences in how the text is displayed. To the trained eye, there is an important distinction between what type of text is displayed on-screen. We explain the differences and have a look at how you can reach new audiences.

Key takeaways

• Closed Captions are intended for viewers who can't hear the audio (e.g. an English film with English Closed Captions).
• Closed Captions can be turned 'off' or 'on'. They are a direct transcription of the spoken words and sounds on the screen.
• Open Captions can not be turned 'off' and are always 'on'.
• Subtitles usually refer to on-screen text translated from the audio transcript.
• Content creators and producers of foreign movies use subtitles to reach a global audience by breaking down the language barrier.

Closed captioning and subtitles are two essential features that can make video content accessible to a wider audience. They are helpful for people who are hard of hearing or deaf, who are learning a new language, and who are watching videos in a quiet or noisy environment.

Understanding the 3 Different Types of Captions and Subtitles

What is Closed Captioning?

Closed captioning is a feature that displays text on the screen to provide a transcription of the audio in a video. Closed captions are usually turned off by default but can be enabled by the viewer if needed. They are called "closed" because they can be turned on and off at will, as opposed to "open" captions, which are burned into the video and cannot be turned off.

Closed captioning is particularly important for people who are hard of hearing or deaf, as it allows them to understand the audio in a video. It can also be helpful for people watching videos in noisy environments or learning a new language.

What are Subtitles?

Subtitles are similar to closed captions in that they display text on the screen. However, the main difference is subtitles are usually designed for people watching videos in a language they do not understand rather than for people who are hard of hearing or deaf. Subtitles provide a translation of the audio in a video so that viewers who do not speak the language can understand what is being said.

What is Open Captioning?

Open captions are similar to closed captions in that they transcribe the audio in a video. Still, they differ because they are burned into the video and cannot be turned off. This means that open captions are always visible and cannot be hidden by the viewer. Open captions can be useful in specific contexts, such as videos where the producer wants to ensure that the text is always visible.

The Difference Between Closed Captioning, Subtitles and Open Captioning

The main difference between closed captioning, open captioning and subtitles is that closed and open captions are intended for deaf or hard of hearing audiences, while subtitles are intended for audiences who can hear the audio but prefer to read along or don't understand the language.

Closed Captions:

• Display on the screen only if the viewer turns them on
• Can provide on-screen audio transcription of the language of the video
• Can provide additional information, such as sound effects and speaker identification
• Can be customised by the viewer in terms of size, font, colour, and placement

Subtitles:

• Display on the screen only if the viewer turns them on
• Provide an on-screen translation of the audio for viewers who do not speak the language
• Can be customised by the viewer

Open Captions:

• Are always visible and cannot be turned off
• Are burned into the video itself
• Can provide a transcription of the audio plus sound effects and speaker changes

Accessibility: Why Closed Captioning and Subtitles Matter

In addition to being a helpful tool for viewers who are hard of hearing or deaf, closed captioning is also an essential aspect of accessibility. In the United States, closed captioning should be provided for all videos according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Closed captioning can also benefit viewers in noisy or quiet environments or those who are not native speakers of the language used in the video.

8 Reasons Why You Need to Add Captions or Subtitles to Your Content

1. Accessibility for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing

Subtitles and captions allow people to understand and engage with the content without relying on audio. This shows that you care about the equality and diversity of your audiences.

2. Comprehension for Second Language Learners

Subtitles and captions provide a written version of the dialogue that can be easier to understand and follow along with than spoken language.

3. Improved Comprehension for People with Cognitive Disabilities

Some people with cognitive disabilities may find it easier to process information in written form.

4. Improved Comprehension in Noisy Environments

In environments where the audio may be difficult to hear, subtitles and captions provide a way to follow the content without relying on audio.

5. Increased Accessibility for Mobile Users

Watching videos on a mobile device often involves watching in public places where audio may be disruptive. Subtitles provide a way to watch without disturbing others.

6. Viewer Engagement

When users can follow the content with subtitles, they are more likely to watch the video in its entirety. The longer the user engagement, the more likely search engines will recognise the video as valuable content.

7. Improved Crawlability

Search engines use bots to crawl through websites to find relevant content. Subtitling or captioning video content provides relevant text for search engines to crawl through.

8. Increased Keyword Density

Subtitling or captioning video content can increase the keyword density of your page, helping with search engine optimisation.

How to Add Closed Captioning and Subtitles to Videos

There are several ways to add closed captioning and subtitles to your videos. You can use automatic captioning tools, manual captioning services, or professional subtitle and captioning services. For accuracy and quality, especially when translating into multiple languages, working with a professional service like LEXIGO ensures your captions and subtitles are accurate, culturally appropriate, and properly formatted.

SRT Files and Subtitle Formats

SRT (SubRip Subtitle) files are the most common format for subtitle files. They contain the subtitle text along with timestamps that indicate when each subtitle should appear and disappear on screen. Most video platforms support SRT files, making them a versatile choice for adding subtitles to your content.