Standard or regulation
HTML Living Standard: Media elements, text track kinds (subtitles and captions)
WHATWG, HTML Living Standard, n.d.
Read the originalRead on October 17, 2026
- What it is
- The web standard's definitions of the subtitles and captions text track kinds used by the HTML track element, which separate translation of dialogue from transcription that includes sound.
- How much weight it carries
- A living web standard maintained by browser makers. It is the authoritative technical definition of the two terms for web video, though it is not a legal text.
Facts taken from this source
- 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.
“Transcription or translation of the dialogue, sound effects, relevant musical cues, and other relevant audio information” (Text track kinds: captions)
- The HTML standard defines subtitles as a transcription or translation of the dialogue, for when the sound is available but not understood.
“Transcription or translation of the dialogue, suitable for when the sound is available but not understood” (Text track kinds: subtitles)