Fact · Transcription
The HTML standard defines captions as a transcription or translation of the dialogue that also covers sound effects, relevant musical cues and other relevant audio.
Checked against its source on October 17, 2026
In the source's own words
“Transcription or translation of the dialogue, sound effects, relevant musical cues, and other relevant audio information”
HTML Living Standard: Media elements, text track kinds (subtitles and captions), WHATWG, HTML Living Standard, n.d., Text track kinds: captions.
Open the original- What it measures
- Captions are for viewers who cannot hear the audio, so they carry the sound as well as the speech.
- What it does not show
- A technical definition used by web browsers, not a legal one.