Caption line length
Caption line length is the maximum characters per caption line — commonly 32 in broadcast tradition, up to 42 in many modern streaming specs — with at most two lines on screen.
Line limits exist so captions never cover too much picture and remain readable at a glance. Good caption tools break lines at linguistic boundaries (after clauses, not mid-name) rather than just at the character cap.
Related terms
Frequently asked
What is Caption line length?
Caption line length is the maximum characters per caption line — commonly 32 in broadcast tradition, up to 42 in many modern streaming specs — with at most two lines on screen.
Why does Caption line length matter?
Line limits exist so captions never cover too much picture and remain readable at a glance. Good caption tools break lines at linguistic boundaries (after clauses, not mid-name) rather than just at the character cap.
What terms are related to Caption line length?
Closely related concepts: Characters per second (CPS), Caption reading speed, Caption positioning — each has its own entry in this glossary.
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