Does WCAG require a transcript or captions?

It can require both depending on the content. Captions handle synchronized audio for video, while a transcript is the primary requirement for audio-only media and a useful alternative for video. Many accessible pages provide both.

Which export format should I use for accessibility?

Use SRT or VTT for captions that display on the video player, and TXT for a standalone transcript page. Our SRT vs VTT vs TXT guide explains the differences.

Is an automated transcript enough to be compliant?

Not on its own. Accuracy is around 98% on clear audio but conformance requires a correct, complete transcript, so review the output, fix errors, and add speaker labels and non-speech descriptions before publishing.

Using Transcripts for Video Accessibility and WCAG Compliance

Accessible video is a legal and practical requirement for many organizations, and transcripts are a core part of meeting it. A transcript makes spoken content available to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, to screen reader users, and to anyone who prefers reading. This guide explains how transcripts relate to WCAG and how to produce one.

Where transcripts fit in WCAG

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines cover time-based media through several success criteria. Captions handle synchronized audio for video, while a text transcript provides an alternative that can be read, searched, and navigated independently. For audio-only content, a transcript is the primary way to meet the guidelines. A transcript also benefits users who cannot play the video at all.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing users: full access to spoken content.
Screen reader users: text that assistive technology can read aloud.
Low-bandwidth or sound-off contexts: a readable alternative to the media.

Transcripts versus captions

Captions appear on screen in sync with the video and usually include speaker changes and relevant sounds. A transcript is a standalone document of everything said. Many accessible pages provide both. If you are choosing an export format, our guide on SRT vs VTT vs TXT explains which file suits captions versus a plain reading transcript.

How to create an accessible transcript

The process is short, and tools like JotVox produce timestamped text you can export in the format your platform needs.

Paste the public video link, or upload the file from your device or cloud storage.
Pull existing captions for free, or run AI transcription when there are none.
Export SRT or VTT for on-player captions, or TXT for a transcript page.
Review and correct names, terms, and speaker labels before publishing.

Try it: paste a video link into JotVox — grabbing existing captions is free, and new accounts get 3 free credits plus one free AI transcription a day.

Publishing and sharing

Each JotVox transcript gets its own shareable page, which can be a quick way to give people a readable version alongside the video. You can also transcribe in the original language across 99 languages, which matters when serving multilingual audiences.

Why human review still matters

Automated accuracy is around 98% on clear audio, but WCAG conformance depends on the transcript being correct and complete. Accuracy drops with noise and accents, and machine output may miss speaker identity or non-speech sounds that accessibility guidelines call for. Always review and edit before publishing, and add speaker labels and relevant sound descriptions where needed. Note that videos are capped at 90 minutes and files are not stored after processing.