Closed Captions vs Subtitles: What's the difference? A Guide for Content Creators

When it comes to making video content accessible and engaging, two terms come up frequently: captions and subtitles. Though often used interchangeably, they serve different purposes and offer unique benefits. So, what’s the difference between captions and subtitles, and when should you use each one? Let’s dive in and clarify the distinction with some practical examples to guide your decision-making.

Captions vs. Subtitles: The Core Difference

The main difference between captions and subtitles lies in their purpose and audience:

• Captions are primarily intended for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. They include all audio elements, such as dialogue, background sounds, and sound effects, making them a comprehensive text representation of the audio.

• Subtitles, on the other hand, assume the viewer can hear the audio. They focus mainly on translating or transcribing spoken dialogue, often for viewers who don’t understand the language spoken in the video.
  

Captions: A Complete Audio Experience in Text

Captions aim to recreate the full audio experience in text, including spoken dialogue, sound effects, and music cues. This makes them invaluable for viewers with hearing impairments, as captions provide context for everything happening audibly in the video.

Example of Captions

Imagine watching a suspenseful scene in a mystery movie. With captions on, you’d see descriptions like:

[eerie music playing]

[door creaking]

Detective: “We’re not alone.”

In this case, captions don’t just provide the dialogue but also include important sounds that add to the mood, helping viewers understand what’s happening beyond spoken words.

Types of Captions

• Closed Captions (CC): Can be toggled on and off and are typically found on platforms like YouTube or streaming services.

• Open Captions: Permanently burned into the video and cannot be turned off, making them ideal for platforms where caption toggling isn’t available.
  

Subtitles: Making Content Accessible Across Languages

Subtitles are mainly intended for viewers who can hear the audio but need text translation. They generally display only spoken dialogue, without including sound effects or music cues, as they assume the audience can hear those elements.

Example of Subtitles

Imagine a documentary in Italian with English subtitles. With subtitles on, a viewer would see only the translation of spoken Italian dialogue, like:

Italian Chef: “Questa è la mia ricetta segreta.”

[translation] “This is my secret recipe.”

The subtitles wouldn’t describe background sounds, assuming the audience can hear the ambient kitchen noises. This allows viewers to follow the conversation without overloading the screen with additional information.

Key Differences Between Captions and Subtitles

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

When to Use Captions vs. Subtitles

Use Captions If:

• You’re aiming to make your content accessible for viewers with hearing impairments.

• You want to include all audio information, like sound effects, music, and other ambient sounds.

• You’re working on educational or informational videos where background sounds are essential to comprehension.
  

Use Subtitles If:

• Your target audience may not understand the language spoken in the video.

• You don’t need to include non-dialogue sounds in the text.

• You’re localizing content for international viewers.
  

Example Scenarios for Using Captions and Subtitles

1. Online Learning Module: You’re creating an online course. Using captions will make the course accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, ensuring they can follow along with both the spoken content and any relevant sounds, like [applause] or [chalk writing on board].

2. Foreign Film Screening: For a film in French being screened for an English-speaking audience, subtitles are ideal. This lets viewers understand the dialogue without adding unnecessary sound descriptions that could distract from the film’s natural ambiance.

3. Social Media Video: Social platforms often require sound-off videos to engage viewers. Open captions (embedded directly in the video) ensure all viewers can follow along, regardless of whether they can hear the audio or not.
   

Making the Right Choice for Your Content

The choice between captions and subtitles depends on your audience and goals. Captions are ideal for making content fully accessible, especially for people with hearing impairments, while subtitles are the perfect choice for translating dialogue and making content understandable across different languages. By knowing the difference, you can enhance your content’s reach, engagement, and inclusivity—making it a win for you and your audience.