Subtitle Character Counter
Measure how readable your subtitles are. The character counter adds up characters and words, finds the longest line, calculates the average reading speed in characters per second and lists every line longer than your limit and every cue shown too briefly for its amount of text. Set the limits to match your platform’s style guide.
- Runs in your browser
- No sign-up
- Free to use
How to use Subtitle Character Counter
- Paste subtitles or open a file.
- Choose the line-length and reading-speed limits.
- Read the statistics and the lists of problem cues.
- Fix the listed cues and check again.
Subtitle Character Counter features
Characters and words
With and without spaces.
Reading speed
Characters per second per cue and overall.
Line length
Longest line and lines over the limit.
Adjustable limits
32–42 characters, 17–25 CPS.
Live results
Updates while you edit.
Private
Runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
When to use Subtitle Character Counter
- Meeting Netflix, BBC or broadcaster subtitle specifications.
- Estimating translation and subtitling costs.
- Checking machine-generated captions.
- Training subtitlers to condense text.
Subtitle Character Counter FAQ
What is characters per second (CPS)?
The number of characters in a subtitle divided by how long it is shown. It measures how fast viewers must read. Spaces are excluded here, as in most guidelines.
Which limits should I use?
Common values are 42 characters per line and 17–20 CPS for adult programmes. Some platforms allow 20–25 CPS; children’s programmes use lower values.
Do emojis and accents count?
Yes. Each visible character counts once, including letters with accents and emojis.
Why is my average fine but some cues are flagged?
The average hides peaks. A single short cue with a long sentence can be unreadable even if the file as a whole is comfortable.
Which formats are supported?
SRT and WebVTT (.vtt), detected automatically. Open a file or paste the text.
Is my file uploaded?
No. Everything happens in your browser.
Measuring subtitle readability
Two numbers dominate subtitle quality: how long the lines are and how fast viewers need to read. Line length matters because the eye has to travel across the screen and because players wrap or cut long lines. Reading speed matters because a subtitle that disappears before it is read is useless.
The counter calculates both for every cue. Characters are counted as visible characters – formatting tags are removed – so accented letters and emojis count once each. Reading speed divides the characters, excluding spaces, by the display time.
The statistics give an overview of the whole file: totals, averages and the longest line. The lists below show where the limits are exceeded, with cue number and time, so you can go straight to the problem.
When a cue is too fast, the usual fixes are to extend its display time (if the next cue allows), to split it into two cues or to condense the wording. Professional subtitlers condense routinely: subtitles are not transcripts, and shorter text that viewers can read is better than complete text they cannot.
Everything is calculated locally in your browser.