They both appear at the bottom of the screen. They both seem to provide a textual representation of what is heard in a video. So what exactly is the difference between closed captions and subtitles? Are they simply interchangeable terms for the same thing?
Not at all. In this article, we’ll explain what separates the two — and why most video content you produce will benefit from one or the other.
What is closed captioning and how does it work?
Closed captions — often abbreviated as CC in video player menus — are text included with a video file that provides viewers with additional interpretative information about the audio.
The original — and still-used — version of the technology relied on a special decoding device built into television sets. This allowed viewers to read text transmitted through a part of the broadcast television signal that had previously gone unused. Eventually, regulations required televisions with screens larger than 13 inches to include built-in caption decoders.
Closed captioning was first introduced in the 1970s on the television programme The French Chef, starring Julia Child. The goal was to make the programme accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences in the United States — and it proved highly successful. However, captions initially appeared permanently on screen, which some viewers found distracting. This led developers to create a system that allowed captions to be switched on or off, giving rise to what we now know as “closed” captions.
Early captioning systems sometimes shortened dialogue or simplified language to make it easier to follow. Modern captioning aims to reproduce speech as accurately as possible and may also include descriptions of music, sound effects and other audio elements that hearing viewers would normally perceive automatically.
What are open captions?
The term “closed captions” is widely used, but what exactly are open captions?
Open captions refer to captions that are permanently visible on the screen. Unlike closed captions, they cannot be turned on or off by the viewer. While they may not always be embedded directly into the original video file, they remain fixed within the video image and are always visible during playback.
For most video producers, closed captions are the preferred option because they allow viewers to choose whether to enable captions. However, open captions can be particularly effective for advertising, promotional and awareness videos — especially those designed for social media platforms where many viewers watch content without sound.
The differences between closed captions and subtitles
The key difference between closed captions and subtitles is their intended audience. Closed captions are designed for viewers who understand the original spoken language but cannot hear the audio, while subtitles are intended for viewers who do not understand the language being spoken.
The rapid growth of global media distribution has significantly increased the demand for subtitles worldwide. For many viewers, subtitles are the only way to access films and television series produced in other languages. Popular film industries such as Hollywood and Bollywood, for example, reach audiences far beyond those who speak the original languages used in their productions.
For other audiences, subtitles are preferred because they preserve the original performances and tone of the actors. Many fans of Japanese anime, for instance, prefer to watch their favourite series with subtitles rather than dubbed versions.
A specialised form of subtitles known as Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH) goes one step further than standard subtitles. In addition to translated dialogue, they may include descriptions of background sounds, music cues and indications of which character is speaking. Modern SDH subtitles are carefully localised so that both the meaning of the dialogue and the viewing experience remain clear for the audience.
While the concepts are closely related, closed captions and subtitles serve different purposes. The key differences are summarised below.
| Feature | Closed Captions | Subtitles |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Accessibility for deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers | Translation for viewers who do not understand the spoken language |
| Includes sound effects | Yes | No |
| Includes speaker identification | Yes | Usually no |
| Typical audience | Viewers who cannot hear the audio | Viewers who do not understand the language |
| Can be turned on/off | Yes | Usually optional |
What are SDH subtitles?
Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH) combine elements of both subtitles and closed captions. In addition to translating dialogue, they also include descriptions of sound effects, music and speaker identification so that viewers who cannot hear the audio can still fully understand what is happening on screen.
Modern SDH subtitles are carefully localised so that the meaning of the dialogue and the viewing experience remain clear for the audience.
Why your video needs captions or subtitles
Originally developed to make television accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, closed captions are now widely used by viewers of all kinds — and their popularity continues to grow. In fact, a UK study conducted in the 2000s found that around 80% of people who used closed captions were not hard of hearing at all. Many viewers rely on captions for reasons such as:
- Personal preference — to make sure no dialogue is missed
- Watching video in noisy environments, such as gyms or waiting rooms, where background noise makes audio difficult to hear
- Following content in a language that is not their native tongue
- Viewing online content, where many videos are watched without sound — for example, approximately 85% of Facebook videos are viewed with the audio muted
This last point is particularly important for marketers and advertisers. However, there are also legal considerations when captioning is not provided. In 2006, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States ruled that, with only a few exceptions, all broadcast and cable programming should include captions.
More recently, captioning has become especially important for:
- Online courses and lectures
- Video content originally broadcast with captions on television that is later distributed online
Several legal cases have examined whether failing to provide captions for e-learning platforms or online video libraries could violate accessibility and anti-discrimination laws.
Regardless of the legal outcome, the growing number of viewers who expect captions or subtitles means that producers risk limiting their audience if they choose not to provide them.
Including captions or subtitles helps make video content accessible to a much wider audience and often leads to higher engagement — particularly on social media and other online platforms where viewers frequently watch videos without sound.
If you’re planning to distribute video content internationally or want to ensure it remains accessible to all audiences, professional subtitling and captioning can make a significant difference. Our team provides multilingual subtitling services for film, television, online video and e-learning projects, and we’re always happy to help you determine whether captions or subtitles are the right solution for your video.