Content Creators and Captioning! Have You Ever Wondered What the Difference Between Open Captioning and Closed Captioning Is?

A realistic painting depicting George Washington and John Adams, the first and second presidents of the United States, respectively. Washington, on the left, wears a traditional 18th-century court hairpiece, while both are dressed in dark coats with white cravats, facing the viewer with calm expressions.

When I first started working in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Services field, I had no idea what open captioning was. I kept hearing people debate whether closed captioning or open captioning was better, and honestly, it was confusing at first! Eventually, I learned the difference — and it turns out, it’s pretty important.

When it comes to media, closed captioning can sometimes be messy or inaccurate, especially in live broadcasts where captions are generated in real time. Open captioning, on the other hand, is usually pre-recorded, which means it can be carefully edited and polished for accuracy before it’s shared. But… well, there’s a bit more to it than that.

You’ve probably seen captions on your favorite shows, YouTube videos, News or on your favorite TV Series — but did you know there’s more than one kind? Let’s break it down in plain language so you’ll never mix them up again.

Closed Captioning (CC)

Definition:Closed captions are the kind you can turn on or off — they’re like a secret feature tucked inside your video settings.

Accessibility: Because they’re optional, viewers can choose whether to see them. That flexibility makes closed captioning great for personal devices, TV broadcasts, and streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu.

Usage:You’ll find closed captions just about everywhere these days — from your favorite sitcoms to live news, and even in your classroom Zoom recordings.

Open Captioning (OC)

Definition:Open captions, on the other hand, are always visible — think of them as “baked in” to the video. You can’t turn them off because they’re part of the image itself.

Accessibility:That means everyone sees them, no matter what device or platform they’re on — which is perfect for videos shown in public places, social media clips, or movie screenings where the audience can’t control the settings.

Usage:You’ve likely seen open captions on Instagram reels or TikToks — they’re great for catching the message even when your phone’s on silent.

Why Does It Matter?

Captions aren’t just text; they’re bridges between creators and audiences. Whether closed captioning or open captioning, both help people connect to stories — from the quietest moments to the loudest laughs.

Understanding the difference helps content creators choose the best option for their audience and ensures that everyone, regardless of hearing ability or viewing setup, can join in the experience.

In a Nutshell

Both closed captioning and open captioning make content more accessible — they just take different paths to get there.Closed captions give the viewer control; open captions guarantee everyone sees the message.Together, they make storytelling universal — one line at a time.