Subtitles

General Subtitling Rules:
1. Maximum of 2 lines.
2. 36-40 characters per line (including spaces).
3. Minimum display time: 1 second; maximum display time: 6-7 seconds.
4. Words should not be hyphenated.
5. Do not leave single-letter conjunctions or prepositions at the end of a line (e.g., “a,” “an,” “in,” “on”).

YouTube Platform Standart: use Roboto Medium font by default. YouTube does not have a formal government-regulated standard but provides a set of best practices to ensure readability and a good viewer experience. Key recommendations include:
– Character Limit: Aim for around 42 characters per line.
– Line Limit: Use a maximum of two lines to avoid obscuring the video.
– Synchronization: Captions must be accurately timed to appear as the words are spoken.
– Readability: Subtitles should remain on screen long enough to be comfortably read by the average viewer.
– Formatting: Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation to ensure clarity.

Guidelines for creating subtitles for YouTube can be found here.

Netflix Platform Standart: Previously used Consolas, a monospaced sans-serif font, and has since developed its own proprietary font, “Netflix Sans”. Users also have the ability to customize subtitle appearance, including the font.

BBC Platform Standart: The standard font for subtitles is Tiresias.

Region-Specific Regulations

Latvia
The primary regulation for subtitling in Latvia concerns language use. The Official Language Law mandates that films must be dubbed or subtitled in the official state language, which is Latvian. While subtitles in other foreign languages may be permitted, there has been a political push to allow subtitles only in the official languages of the European Union, which would effectively ban Russian-language subtitles. Companies providing subtitling services in Latvia follow general international standards for formatting and quality control to ensure readability and a seamless viewer experience.

Subtitling guidelines for Latvia can be found here.

Europe
There is a trend toward harmonizing accessibility standards in the European Union. European Accessibility Act (EAA): This act, which entered into force on June 28, 2025, establishes pan-European requirements for the accessibility of products and services, including audiovisual media services. It requires broadcasters and streaming services to provide subtitles (closed captions) for their content to make it accessible to people with hearing impairments. These requirements apply to both pre-recorded and live broadcasts.

Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD): This directive encourages EU member states to make content more accessible, including through subtitles.

National Legislation: Many European countries have their own accessibility laws, which are often stricter than the EU-wide ones.

UK: The Equality Act 2010 requires service providers to provide closed captions. Ofcom sets quotas and guidelines for subtitling quality, including accuracy and speed.

Germany: The Disability Equality Act (BGG) and the BITV 2.0 standard require accurate and accessible closed captioning on websites and mobile apps in the federal public sector.

France and Spain: These countries also have laws aimed at ensuring digital accessibility, which influences captioning requirements for online videos.

The Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland are known for their strict national accessibility policies, which often exceed EU standards.

Choosing the Right Font for Subtitles: A Guide to Readability and Accessibility

When selecting a font for subtitles, the primary goals are readability and accessibility for a broad audience, including those with visual impairments. While there are no strict rules, industry standards and best practices point toward simple, clear, sans-serif fonts.

Top Recommended Fonts:
Experts and various platforms have identified several fonts that are well-suited for subtitles:
1. Roboto: As the standard for YouTube and most Google services, Roboto offers a wide range of styles and is highly readable, especially for longer sentences.
2. Helvetica: A popular choice in broadcasting and advertising, Helvetica is known for its clean lines and straightforward design, making it a classic and easily legible option.
3. Arial: A safe and simple choice, Arial is a standard font on many Microsoft devices. Its neutral design makes it an excellent option that doesn’t distract the viewer.
4. Verdana: Specifically designed for readability on low-resolution screens, its condensed style is suitable for smaller displays.
5. Tiresias: This font was created with visually impaired people in mind and is the standard for BBC subtitles.
6. Open Sans: Known for its excellent readability on screens of all sizes, from mobile devices to large displays.

Key Principles for Font Selection:
When choosing a subtitle font, consider the following principles:
1. Simplicity and Clarity: Avoid stylized or decorative fonts that can hinder reading.
3. Sans-serif Fonts: Most professionals recommend sans-serif fonts as they appear cleaner and more modern on screens.
4. Font Size: The font should be large enough for comfortable reading but not so large that it obstructs a significant portion of the image. A good starting point is a 22-point font, which can be adjusted as needed.
5. Contrast: To ensure good visibility, use high-contrast colors, such as white text on a dark background or black text on a light one. The classic yellow subtitle color is often achieved with Helvetica Medium Italic.
6. Alignment: Left-aligned text is generally easier to read.

Ultimately, the best way to choose a font for subtitles is to conduct a visual test to see how well it reads on different devices and in various scenes of the video. The main objective is to make the content accessible and understandable to the widest possible audience.