Subtitles and captions: choosing the text you need

Subtitles and captions are both types of text that appear on screen during a video or movie, but they serve different purposes. Understanding the difference between them can help you choose the right text for your viewing experience.

Regional terminology

Terminology varies by region and service. Do not assume that a label alone tells you everything a track contains. The W3C captions guide distinguishes translated dialogue from text that also conveys meaningful non-speech audio. Some services use the word subtitles for both.

Distinguishing translated speech from accessibility information

Subtitles are designed to translate the spoken dialogue into the viewer's language, making it easier for non-native speakers to follow along. They are commonly used in foreign films and TV shows. On the other hand, captions generally include speech as well as meaningful non-speech information, such as a speaker identification or an important sound cue.

Check the actual track

Before choosing between subtitles and captions, it's important to check if the track you need is actually available. Many streaming services and video platforms offer both subtitles and captions, but the availability can vary depending on the title. For example, a foreign film may have subtitles in multiple languages, but it may not have captions. Conversely, a documentary or news program may have captions, but it may not have subtitles.

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Make a practical choice

If you can hear the audio but need a translation, look for the language you understand. If you need information that sound normally conveys, check whether the available track includes that information. Test a short passage before settling in, and remember that a translated page title does not establish which tracks a video provides.