# Burned-in captions

Canonical URL: https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/burned-in-captions
Last updated: 2026-10-08

> Definition: Burned-in captions (also called hard-coded or open captions) are captions rendered permanently into the video image during export, so every viewer sees them and they can't be turned off, restyled or translated by the player.

Burned-in captions are part of the picture. Once you export, the words are pixels in the frame, the same as the speaker's face. They play on every platform, in every player, with the sound on or off, and nobody can switch them off. That reliability is why nearly all short-form video uses them.

## Why do short-form videos use burned-in captions?

Short-form videos use burned-in captions because they guarantee the words are seen and styled exactly as designed. Many people scroll with the sound off, and social feeds handle caption files inconsistently or not at all. Burning captions in also lets you style them as part of the edit: brand fonts, word-by-word highlights and positions that avoid the speaker's face and the app's buttons.

## Burned-in vs closed captions: what's the difference?

The difference is whether the viewer controls them. The W3C describes closed captions as captions viewers can show or hide, and open captions as always displayed ([source](https://www.w3.org/WAI/media/av/captions/)).

| | Burned-in (open) | Closed |
|---|---|---|
| Stored as | Pixels in the video | A separate text track or file (e.g. SRT) |
| Viewer can turn off | No | Yes |
| Styling | Fully designed by the editor | Set by the player and viewer |
| Searchable, translatable | No | Yes |
| Works everywhere | Yes | Only where the platform supports caption files |

For a fuller comparison, see [open vs closed captions](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/open-vs-closed-captions).

## What are the downsides of burned-in captions?

The main downsides are that they're permanent and inflexible. A typo means re-exporting. Viewers can't enlarge them or change their contrast. They can't be auto-translated, and they can clash with platform interface elements if they sit in the wrong place. Placing them inside the [safe zone](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/safe-zone) and keeping a closed caption file as well covers most of these.

## How do you burn in captions with Vidiyo?

In Vidiyo, any captions you add are burned into the exported MP4. Vidiyo transcribes your audio on your Mac, generates word-timed captions in a style you pick (from plain subtitles to word-highlight and animated styles like karaoke pill or typewriter), and the assistant places them clear of faces, on-screen text and platform interface. Edit any word in the Captions panel before export. If you also want closed captions, use **Export SRT** from the captions menu and upload that file to the platform.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are burned-in captions the same as open captions?

Yes, in practice. Open captions are captions that are always displayed. Burning them into the video during export is how you make them open.

### Are burned-in captions good for accessibility?

They help, because they're always on, but they can't be resized, recoloured or read by screen readers. For accessibility it's best to also upload a closed caption file like an SRT where the platform accepts one.

### Does Vidiyo burn in captions?

Yes. Captions you add in Vidiyo are rendered into the exported MP4. You can also export the captions as an SRT file to upload as closed captions.

## Related terms

- [Open vs closed captions](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/open-vs-closed-captions)
- [SRT file](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/srt-file)
- [Word-level captions](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/word-level-captions)
- [Safe zone](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/safe-zone)

## Where Vidiyo does this

- [Auto captions that are transcribed on your Mac](https://getvidiyo.app/features/auto-captions)
- [Burned-in vs closed captions: which should you use?](https://getvidiyo.app/blog/burned-in-vs-closed-captions)

## Sources

- [Captions/Subtitles (W3C Web Accessibility Initiative)](https://www.w3.org/WAI/media/av/captions/) (accessed 2026-10-08)