Subtitle Compliance & Standards

Read about global rules for video captions, reading speeds, and platform formats.

Subtitling Guidelines Summary: Rules like FCC Part 79 and EBU guidelines keep your videos accessible. They help you follow the law and improve the viewing experience.

FCC Closed Captioning (Part 79)

US Federal Communications Commission rules for television and online media accessibility.

The FCC Part 79 rules require closed captions for US TV programs. This also applies to videos posted online after airing on TV.

To meet FCC standards, captions must follow four key requirements:

1. AccuracyCaptions must match the spoken words exactly. They must include slang, accents, and sound descriptions.
2. SynchronicityCaptions must show up when the sound is made. They must stay on screen long enough to read.
3. CompletenessCaptions must run from the start to the end of the video without gaps.
4. PlacementCaptions must not block faces, text, or credits on the screen.

EBU Tech 3384 Subtitling Standard

European Broadcasting Union specifications for clear readability and timing.

The EBU Tech 3384 specs are the subtitle rules for European broadcasters.

These guidelines make subtitles easy to read and reduce eye strain:

Line LimitsKeep subtitles to a maximum of **2 lines**. One line is even better.
Line WidthDo not exceed **37 to 42 characters** per line.
Reading SpeedKeep speed between **12 and 16 characters per second (CPS)**. This stops subtitles from disappearing too fast.
IntervalsShow each card for **1 to 7 seconds**. Leave a gap of **2 to 4 frames** between cards so the reader can spot the change.

Netflix Subtitle Specifications

Global streaming industry gold standard for subtitle formatting and styling.

Netflix subtitle specs are the standard for streaming videos.

Key formatting rules include:

Fonts & LengthLimit lines to **37 characters**. Use a centered, clean sans-serif font.
Line BreaksBreak lines at natural pause points. Do not split names or related words.
Line BalanceKeep lines balanced. Make the top line shorter than the bottom line. This forms an upside-down pyramid.
Off-Screen SpeakersUse brackets to name speakers who are off-screen. For example, `[Narrator]` or `(John)`.

Accessible Subtitling & SDH Standards

Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing providing full audio context.

SDH subtitleshelp deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. They include sound descriptions and other audio details.

Good SDH subtitles follow these rules:

Sound CuesPut sound effects or music cues in brackets. For example, `[car horn honks]` or `[upbeat music plays]`.
Speaker NamesWrite the speaker's name when they are off-screen or multiple people speak. For example, `[Sarah]: Hello!`.
Tone of VoiceDescribe how words are said if it matters. For example, `[whispering]` or `[screaming]`.

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