Zoom Automated Captions lets participants view a computer-generated transcript and closed captions of what is said during a meeting. This feature is enabled by any participant of the meeting or webinar once it begins.

Automatic captioning is currently not accurate enough to be used in any cases where a person with a disability requests human captioning. Review the live captioning decision table.

On this page

Enabling Automated Captions

Any participant can select the "Show Captions" button for automatic subtitles/captions and transcript.

  1. Select the "Show Captions" button in the Zoom Toolbar. 
  2. Once enabled, the options for subtitles and transcript are available by selecting the Show Captions Submenu (^).
Zoom toolbar for desktop. The "Show Captions" button has focus.

Automated Captions are currently not supported in Breakout rooms.

Live captioning decision table

I want to:
Instructions:
Enable automatic captions during a class/meeting Review the Automated Captions instructions
Get an automatic transcript with the recording of the Zoom class/meeting (Host only) Turn on "Audio Transcript" in your NYU Zoom settings before the meeting begins.
Have human captioning in my class for a student accommodation
Have human captioning for my event

Known Issues

  • Accuracy: Currently, automatic captioning is not accurate enough to be used in cases where a person with a disability requests human captioning. Review the live captioning decision table.
  • Meeting Recordings: A more accurate transcript and caption file is available post-recording if Zoom Audio Transcription is enabled before the meeting begins.
  • Non-speech and non-verbal sounds: The Automated Captions feature does not transcribe all sounds. For example, humming in agreement ("Mmhmm"), sighing, clapping, coughing.
  • Tone of voice: The Automated Captions feature does not transcribe tone of voice. For example, whispering, yelling, sarcasm.