A Closed Caption format guide for YouTube, Vimeo, iTunes and more

Closed caption file formats vary depending on which site you use to host your video and which platform you use to get a transcript of your closed captioning. See this closed caption file format guide to make sure you always use the correct format for your video content.

This can be confusing for those who just want to add captions to their videos without getting into a lot of technical details, so we've put together a guide to make things easy.

YouTube Close Caption Guide

YouTube recommends the Scenarist (.scc) format. SubDown also recommends TTML or WebVTT; any of these three options will give you some control over the appearance of your subtitles on the YouTube platform..

Compatible formats

• SubRip (.srt)
• WebVTT (.vtt)
• DFXP/TTML (.dxfp)
• Scenarist (.scc)
• SAMI (.sami)

Vimeo Closed Caption Guide

Vimeo lists WebVTT (.tt) as its preferred format, but there are several formats that are compatible. Subtitles are easily available using Autosubtitle Online or SubDown.

Compatible formats

• SubRip (.srt)
• WebVTT (.vtt)
• DFXP/TTML (.dxfp)
• Scenarist (.scc)
• SAMI (.sami)

Adobe Products (Encore, Captivate, Flash, and Premiere Pro)

Compatible formats

• Scenarist (.scc)
• MacCaption (.mcc)
• XML (.xml) Note: You may order captions in TTML (.ttml) format to be compatible with XML)
• Spruce Subtitle File (.STL)

Closed Caption Annotation Edit

Compatible formats

• SubRip (.srt)
• Scenarist (.scc)
• Timed Text (.ttml)
• DXFP (.dxfp)
• WebVTT (.vtt)
• Cheetah CAP (.cap)
• MacCaption (.mcc)
• Quicktime Subtitle (mov, m4v)
• Spruce Subtitle File (.stl)

Netflix Closed Caption Format Guide

Netflix has two recommended formats. Since Scenarist (.scc) is the de facto standard for CEA-608 and CEA-708 data, it has been identified as the preferred format by the EMA Closed Captioning Working Group. SMPTE-TT is also recommended because it is considered safe under applicable law if the captioning meets the requirements.

Compatible formats

• SubRip (.srt)
• Scenarist (.scc)
• Timed Text (.ttml)
• DXFP (.dxfp)
• WebVTT (.vtt)
• Cheetah CAP (.cap)
• MacCaption (.mcc)
• Quicktime Subtitle (.qt.txt)
• Spruce Subtitle File (.stl)
• XML (.xml)

iTunes Closed Caption Format Guide

iTunes asks for a Scenarist-formatted file (with an .scc extension), or a QuickTime file with a closed captioning track.

Compatible formats

• Scenarist (.scc)
• DFXP Full/TTML (.dfxp)
• iTunes Timed Text (.iTT)