YouTube CC vs Subtitles: Understanding the Difference

Closed captions (CC) and subtitles both display text on YouTube videos, but they serve different purposes. Closed captions are designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers and include sound descriptions like [music playing] or [door slams]. Subtitles are primarily for translating dialogue into another language. On YouTube, both are accessed through the same CC button, but understanding the difference helps you create better accessible content.

Key Takeaways

• Closed captions (CC) include sound effects and are for deaf/hard-of-hearing viewers
• Subtitles translate dialogue and are for viewers who speak different languages
• YouTube uses "CC" as a general term for all text overlays
• Same download process for both types via NoteLM.ai or YouTube Studio
• Creators should add CC features (sound descriptions) for accessibility compliance

Definitions: CC vs Subtitles

What Are Closed Captions (CC)?

Closed captions are text overlays designed for viewers who cannot hear the audio. They include:

"Closed" means viewers can turn captions on or off. (Contrast with "open captions" which are permanently burned into the video.)

What Are Subtitles?

Subtitles are text translations of spoken dialogue, designed for viewers who speak a different language than the video's audio.

Subtitles typically do NOT include:

• Sound effect descriptions
• Speaker identification (unless necessary)
• Music descriptions
• Non-speech audio

SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing)

SDH combines both approaches:

• Translates dialogue (like subtitles)
• Includes sound descriptions (like CC)
• Best of both worlds for international deaf viewers

Key Differences: CC vs Subtitles

How YouTube Handles CC and Subtitles

YouTube's Approach

YouTube uses "Subtitles/CC" as a combined feature:

• All caption tracks appear under the same CC button
• No technical distinction between CC and subtitles
• File format (SRT, VTT) is the same for both
• YouTube Studio calls everything "Subtitles"

What You See in YouTube

When you click the CC button or go to Settings → Subtitles, you may see:

Subtitles/CC
├── English (auto-generated)
├── English
├── Spanish
├── French
└── Japanese

• English (auto-generated) - YouTube's AI-created captions
• English - Creator-uploaded (may be CC with descriptions)
• Spanish, French, Japanese - Translated subtitles

How to Tell What Type You're Getting

Creating Proper Closed Captions

What to Include for Accessibility

Audio descriptions to add:

1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,500
[upbeat music playing]

2
00:00:03,500 --> 00:00:06,000
[John] Hey everyone, welcome back!

3
00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,500
[audience applause]

4
00:00:09,500 --> 00:00:13,000
[whispering] Before we start, I have a secret...

Sound Description Conventions

Best Practices for CC

✅ Do include:

• All spoken dialogue
• Speaker identification when multiple people
• Relevant sound effects
• Music descriptions
• Non-verbal sounds that convey meaning

❌ Don't include:

• Every tiny background noise
• Sounds irrelevant to content
• Redundant descriptions
• Distracting detail

Creating Quality Subtitles

What to Include in Subtitles

Focus on dialogue translation:

Subtitle Localization Tips

• Adapt idioms - Don't translate literally
• Match cultural context - Use appropriate formality
• Keep timing - Subtitles should match speech duration
• Maintain meaning - Prioritize meaning over literal translation

When to Add Sound Descriptions to Subtitles

Add sound descriptions when:

• Creating SDH (Subtitles for Deaf/HoH)
• Sound is crucial to understanding
• Targeting accessibility markets
• Required by regulations

Legal and Compliance Considerations

When Closed Captions Are Required

YouTube's Accessibility Features

YouTube provides:

• Auto-generated captions (auto-CC)
• Creator upload options
• Community contribution (limited)
• Auto-translate feature

YouTube does NOT:

• Guarantee caption quality
• Force creators to add captions
• Add sound descriptions automatically

Downloading CC vs Subtitles

Using NoteLM.ai Subtitle Downloader

Both CC and subtitles download the same way:

1. 1.Copy YouTube video URL
2. 2.Paste into NoteLM.ai Subtitle Downloader
3. 3.Select language (original = CC, other = subtitles)
4. 4.Download as SRT, VTT, or TXT

File Format Is Identical

Both CC and subtitles use the same formats:

SRT example:

1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,500
[music playing]

2  
00:00:03,500 --> 00:00:07,000
Welcome to the show!

The format doesn't distinguish—it's the content that makes it CC or subtitles.

Viewer Preferences

When Viewers Want CC

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers
• Watching in noisy environments
• Audio comprehension difficulties
• Learning disabilities
• Non-native speakers of video language

When Viewers Want Subtitles

• Video in foreign language
• Prefer reading to listening
• Learning the video's language
• Multilingual content

How to Choose as a Viewer

1. 1.Open video settings (gear icon)
2. 2.Select Subtitles/CC
3. 3.Choose:

- Same language as video → CC experience

- Different language → Subtitle experience

1. 1.If available, look for tracks specifically labeled for accessibility

Creator Guidelines

Minimum (Basic Accessibility)

• ✅ Allow YouTube auto-captions
• ✅ Review and fix major errors
• Upload corrected version

Better (Good Accessibility)

• ✅ Upload accurate transcripts
• ✅ Include basic speaker identification
• ✅ Fix auto-caption errors
• Add translations for key markets

Best (Full Accessibility)

• ✅ Professional captioning
• ✅ Full sound descriptions
• ✅ Speaker identification throughout
• ✅ Multiple language versions
• ✅ SDH for international deaf viewers

Closed Captions (CC):

• For deaf/hard-of-hearing viewers
• Include sound descriptions, speaker ID, music
• Same language as video audio
• Often legally required

Subtitles:

• For viewers who speak different languages
• Focus on dialogue translation
• Don't typically include sound descriptions
• Help reach international audiences

Download YouTube Captions with NoteLM.ai →

Related Resources:

• YouTube Closed Captions: How to Enable & Download
• How to Add Subtitles to YouTube Videos
• Using YouTube Subtitles for Language Learning