Character Limits
Understand and apply character limits for readable captions.
Standard Limits
Per Line
32-42 characters per line (standard)
- 32: Mobile-friendly, safe choice
- 37: Netflix standard
- 42: Desktop standard, maximum readable
Per Caption
2 lines maximum
Total: 64-84 characters per caption
Why Limits Matter
Readability
- Viewers can read in available time
- Text doesn't cover too much video
- Comfortable viewing experience
Technical
- Fits on all screen sizes
- Works on mobile devices
- Compatible with all players
Accessibility
- Screen readers work better
- Low vision users can read
- Dyslexic-friendly
Exceeding Limits
Options When Too Long
- Split into 2 captions
- Shorten text (if subtitles, not verbatim captions)
- Extend duration (if speech allows)
- Use abbreviations (sparingly)
Warning System
Editor shows warnings:
- Green (< 75%): Good
- Orange (75-100%): Approaching limit
- Red (> 100%): Exceeds limit
Character Counting
What Counts
- Letters
- Numbers
- Punctuation
- Spaces
Best Practices
- Count before line break
- Monitor both lines
- Check total caption count
Different Standards
| Standard | Characters/Line | Lines | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | 37 | 2 | 74 |
| BBC | 37-42 | 2 | 84 |
| YouTube | 32 | 2 | 64 |
| Broadcast | 32 | 2-3 | 96 |
Scriptix default: 42 characters, 2 lines
Reading Speed
Calculate based on duration:
Formula: Characters / Duration = CPS
Example:
Caption: "Welcome to our video tutorial" (30 chars)
Duration: 2 seconds
CPS: 30 / 2 = 15 characters per second ✓
Target CPS: 15-20
Max CPS: 25
Adjusting for Length
Too Long
Example: 60 character caption (2 seconds)
CPS = 60 / 2 = 30 (TOO FAST!)
Solutions:
- Increase duration to 3s:
60 / 3 = 20 CPS✓ - Split into two 2s captions:
30 / 2 = 15 CPS✓
Too Short
Example: 15 character caption (3 seconds)
CPS = 15 / 3 = 5 (too slow)
Solutions:
- Reduce duration to 1.5s:
15 / 1.5 = 10 CPS✓ - Merge with next caption