Does WCAG require a transcript as well as captions?

For prerecorded video, an alternative for the visual content is expected in addition to captions, and a descriptive transcript is the usual way to satisfy it.

Do automatic captions satisfy WCAG?

Not by themselves. They need review for accuracy, speaker identification and non-speech sound before they meet the intent.

No, it is a guideline, but many jurisdictions reference it in legislation and procurement rules, which is how it acquires legal force.

Which WCAG level applies to my video?

That depends on the obligation you are meeting rather than on the video. Many public-sector and procurement rules name a specific level, so the requirement comes from the policy citing WCAG, not from WCAG alone.

Definition

What Is WCAG?

VideoText editorial team. Updated September 13, 2026.

Direct definition

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the W3C standard for making web content more accessible. For video, Success Criterion 1.2.2 requires captions for prerecorded synchronized media, with related criteria for live captions and audio description.

The sections below explain how WCAG is used in transcription and subtitle work, what people often mix up, and which VideoText workflow applies when the next step is a file or review pass.

Key takeaways

WCAG is a standard, not a law — laws often reference it.
1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) is the usual starting point for recorded video.
WCAG 1.2.2 is the usual starting criterion for captions on recorded web video.

How WCAG relates to captions

Meeting 1.2.2 means a synchronized caption track exists and is accurate enough to convey the audio. Auto-generated text that is not corrected may fail that requirement in practice even if a track is present.

The criteria that apply to video

WCAG addresses prerecorded video through captions and through an alternative for the visual content, and live video through captions. The level you are working to determines which of these are required rather than advisory.

Because it is a guideline rather than a format specification, WCAG says what has to be available, not which file format to deliver or how a caption should be styled.

Meeting it in practice

Auto-generated captions with no review generally do not meet it, because accuracy, speaker identification and sound description all fall short of what the criteria assume.

Reading speed and contrast are not spelled out numerically for captions, so most organisations adopt an existing house or platform style guide on top of WCAG to make the requirement testable.

Frequently asked questions

Does WCAG require a transcript as well as captions?: For prerecorded video, an alternative for the visual content is expected in addition to captions, and a descriptive transcript is the usual way to satisfy it.
Do automatic captions satisfy WCAG?: Not by themselves. They need review for accuracy, speaker identification and non-speech sound before they meet the intent.
Is WCAG a law?: No, it is a guideline, but many jurisdictions reference it in legislation and procurement rules, which is how it acquires legal force.
Which WCAG level applies to my video?: That depends on the obligation you are meeting rather than on the video. Many public-sector and procurement rules name a specific level, so the requirement comes from the policy citing WCAG, not from WCAG alone.