create accessible
SUBTITLES
Goal
Why it Matters
Subtitles help people understand your videos when the audio is in a different language or isn’t clear enough to hear. This tutorial explains what subtitles are, how they differ from closed captions, and how you can easily add them to your videos without needing editing or technical experience.
Quick Wins (Start Here)
If you only do a few things, start with these
Add subtitles to any video where your audience may speak multiple languages
Always review auto-generated subtitles for accuracy
Keep subtitles short and easy to read
These make your content more understandable and more inclusive.
Subtitles vs. Closed Captions
These two features serve different purposes but are often confused.
Subtitles
Display spoken dialogue
Used for translating speech into another language
Do not include background sounds
Helpful for multilingual audiences
Closed Captions
Include dialogue and important sounds
Can be turned on or off
Designed for accessibility
Required for WCAG compliance
If you need accessibility support (sounds, background noises, speaker labels), you want closed captions, not subtitles.
What To Do
How to Add Subtitles (Step-by-Step)
Step 1. Choose Your Subtitle Method
The simplest options
Option A — Auto-generate subtitles
Some platforms can auto-generate subtitles for you, and all you have to do is choose the language you want.
You’ll need to review and edit them for accuracy, especially for names, jargon, or accents.
Option B — Upload a translated script
If you already have a script (for example, an English video with a Spanish audience), you can upload the translated text and let the platform time it for you.
Step 2. Save Subtitles in a Standard File Type
When exporting subtitles, choose one of these:
.SRT
.VTT
These work on most video hosting platforms and website builders.
Step 3. Upload Subtitles to Your Platform
This can be tricky since lots of platforms use subtitles and captions interchangeably. You will want to look for “subtitles” and a place to select your language, upload the .SRT or .VTT, and click Save.
Step 4. Test Your Subtitles
Before sharing your video, check that
Subtitles match the spoken words
Timing feels natural
Text is short and readable
No subtitles are covering important visuals
Everything looks correct on mobile
Example
If you own an online course about graphic design and how to create logos, and your audience includes a significant amount of Spanish-speaking users, it could be useful to provide subtitles for that portion of your audience.
This lets more people understand and enjoy your content — and helps you reach a wider audience.
Tips & Common Mistakes
What To Do
Keep subtitles short
Use line breaks for long phrases
Translate meaning, not word-for-word literal text
Check for spelling and grammar
Avoid
Relying only on auto-generated subtitles
Long blocks of text
Placing subtitles over important graphics
Using overly stylized or hard-to-read fonts
Tools for Subtitling
Here are some simple, small-business-friendly tools:
VEED — Easy starter tool for subtitles and captions
Subtitle Edit — FREE desktop application for easy subtitle creation
Kapwing — drag-and-drop caption creation
WCAG Guidelines
Subtitles are not required for WCAG compliance, but they support multilingual access and help non-native speakers.
Next Steps
After subtitles, you may also want to explore
Closed Captions (for accessibility)
Transcripts (great for SEO + user experience)
Audio Descriptions (for blind and low-vision users)
Want Help With accessibility?
If you’d like professional support, we can help:
We offer a full suite of digital accessibility services.
Web Accessibility Initiative
To geek out and go deep on the history and technical criteria for WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) W3C is the resource for you.
Recommended Digital Accessibility Resources
Monthly Content Accessibility Checklist
Easy first steps to track and integrate accessibility into the digital content you create on a regular basis for your business.
The accuracy of information on this website is subject to change. Implementing these accessibility tips by no means ensures your website is fully compliant with current guidelines or laws. You should consult with a professional to audit and/or remediate your site and obtain an accessibility statement.
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