Glossary
What Are Closed Captions (CC)? Definition and Examples
Closed captions (CC) are timed text overlays that viewers can toggle on or off, designed primarily for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.
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Definition
Closed captions (CC) are timed text overlays that viewers can toggle on or off through a player control, designed primarily for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.
Also known as: CC
Full Explanation
Closed captions, abbreviated as 'CC', are a form of captioning where the text is delivered separately from the video stream and can be toggled on or off by the viewer. They are stored either as a sidecar file (SRT, VTT, SCC) or as a separate track inside the video container. The 'closed' in closed captions refers to the fact that they are hidden by default until the viewer enables them. This contrasts with open captions, which are permanently burned into the video. CC includes all dialogue, speaker identification, and non-speech audio cues such as music and sound effects. The CC symbol, a white 'CC' inside a black rectangle, was standardized in U.S. television broadcasting and is now used across digital video platforms.
Examples
- -YouTube's CC button at the bottom of the player.
- -Netflix subtitles menu with [music], [door creaking], and speaker labels.
- -Live TV broadcasts with the white-on-black CC indicator.
Related Terms
What does CC stand for?
CC stands for 'closed captions', timed text that viewers can turn on or off through a player control.
Are closed captions the same as SDH?
They overlap but aren't identical. SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard-of-hearing) is typically used on Blu-rays and streaming as a hybrid: it translates language AND includes sound descriptions, while CC is usually same-language.
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