How to Shrink YouTube Subtitles: A Comprehensive Guide

Want to enjoy YouTube videos without those massive, distracting subtitles hogging the screen? You’ve come to the right place. Making subtitles smaller on YouTube is surprisingly straightforward, but the method varies depending on whether you’re watching on a desktop browser, a mobile device, or a smart TV.

The core process involves accessing the YouTube settings either through the video player itself or via your account settings. Once you’re in the settings, you can adjust the font size, font style, background opacity, and even the color of the subtitles. We’ll break down each method step-by-step to help you customize your viewing experience.

Adjusting Subtitle Size on Desktop

The desktop environment offers the most granular control over subtitle appearance. Here’s how to shrink those behemoth subtitles:

Method 1: Using the Video Player Settings

1. Start Playing the Video: Navigate to the YouTube video you wish to watch.
2. Enable Subtitles/CC: Click the “CC” button located in the bottom right corner of the video player. This will turn the subtitles on.
3. Access Settings: Click the “Settings” (gear) icon, also located in the bottom right corner of the video player.
4. Select “Subtitles/CC”: A menu will appear. Choose the “Subtitles/CC” option. If subtitles are already enabled, it will display the current language selected.
5. Choose “Options”: Another menu will appear. Select the “Options” selection. This selection is not always available, and if you do not see it, you will need to use Method 2.
6. Customize Subtitle Appearance: A window will pop up allowing you to customize your subtitles. Here, you can adjust the font size, font family, color, opacity, background, and more. Reduce the “Font Size” slider to make the subtitles smaller. You can also experiment with different “Font Opacity” and “Background Opacity” settings to improve readability without increasing the size.

Method 2: Using YouTube Account Settings

This method allows you to set a default subtitle size that will apply to all YouTube videos you watch while logged into your account.

1. Go to YouTube: Open the YouTube website and ensure you’re logged into your account.
2. Access Your Account Settings: Click on your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select “Settings”: From the dropdown menu, choose “Settings”.
4. Navigate to “Playback and Performance”: In the settings menu on the left-hand side, look for and click on “Accessibility”.
5. Customize Subtitle Appearance: You’ll find options similar to those in the video player settings (font size, font family, color, opacity, background). Reduce the “Font Size” slider to your desired level.
6. Save Your Changes: YouTube usually saves these settings automatically. You can test the new settings by playing a video with subtitles.

Adjusting Subtitle Size on Mobile (Android & iOS)

The mobile app offers slightly fewer customization options compared to the desktop version, but you can still significantly reduce the subtitle size.

1. Start Playing the Video: Open the YouTube app and begin playing the video you want to watch.
2. Enable Subtitles/CC: Tap the “CC” icon on the video player screen. This will turn the subtitles on. The icon is typically in the upper right hand corner of the video, as opposed to the bottom right for the desktop version.
3. Tap the Three Dots: Tap the three vertical dots (menu icon) in the top right corner of the video player.
4. Select “Captions”: A menu will appear. Choose the “Captions” option.
5. Customize Caption Size: Choose the “Size” selection. Reduce the “Font Size” to the desired level.
6. Save Your Changes: The change will be reflected immediately.

Adjusting Subtitle Size on Smart TVs and Streaming Devices

Adjusting subtitles on smart TVs or devices like Roku and Chromecast can be a bit trickier as the options are often limited and device-dependent. The settings might be found within the YouTube app itself or within the device’s accessibility settings.

1. Access YouTube App Settings: Navigate to the settings menu within the YouTube app on your smart TV or streaming device. Look for a “Captions” or “Accessibility” section.
2. Check Device Accessibility Settings: If the YouTube app settings are limited, check the accessibility settings of your smart TV or streaming device. Many devices allow you to customize captions globally.
3. Adjust Font Size: If available, reduce the font size to your liking. Note that the range of customization may be restricted compared to desktop or mobile.
4. Test the Changes: Play a YouTube video with subtitles to see if the changes have been applied correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why are my YouTube subtitles so big to begin with?

YouTube often defaults to a larger subtitle size for better visibility, especially on smaller screens or when viewed from a distance. However, individual preferences vary, which is why the customization options are provided.

2. Will these subtitle size changes apply to all YouTube videos I watch?

If you adjust the subtitle settings through your YouTube account settings, the changes will apply to all videos you watch while logged in on that device. If you adjust them via the video player, the settings may only apply to that specific video.

3. Can I adjust the subtitle size on embedded YouTube videos?

The ability to adjust subtitle size on embedded videos depends on the embed settings chosen by the website owner. If the embed includes the full YouTube player controls, you should be able to adjust the subtitles as described above. If not, the options might be limited.

4. How do I change the subtitle font style on YouTube?

On desktop, you can change the font style in the same settings menu where you adjust the font size. Look for a “Font Family” option. Mobile and smart TV options for font style customization are usually more limited.

5. Can I change the subtitle color and background?

Yes, on desktop, you can customize the subtitle color, background color, and opacity through the settings menu. This allows you to create high-contrast subtitles that are easy to read, regardless of the video content.

6. Are there any browser extensions that offer more subtitle customization options?

Yes, there are several browser extensions designed to enhance subtitle customization on YouTube. Some popular options include “YouTube Subtitle Customizer” and “Subtitles for YouTube”. These extensions often offer more advanced features like custom fonts, shadows, and positioning.

7. My subtitle settings keep resetting. What can I do?

This can happen if your browser is clearing cookies and site data, or if you’re using multiple YouTube accounts with different settings. Ensure that cookies are enabled for YouTube and that you’re logged into the correct account. Clearing your browser cache may also help.

8. Can I download subtitles from YouTube?

Yes, you can download subtitles from YouTube using third-party websites or browser extensions. These tools allow you to save the subtitles in various formats, such as SRT or TXT. Just be mindful of copyright restrictions and use subtitles responsibly.

9. Why are some YouTube videos not displaying subtitles at all?

Some videos may not have subtitles available because the creator hasn’t added them. YouTube also offers auto-generated subtitles, but their accuracy can vary. If a video should have subtitles but they aren’t appearing, try refreshing the page or checking your subtitle settings.

10. How accurate are YouTube’s auto-generated subtitles?

The accuracy of auto-generated subtitles depends on factors such as the speaker’s clarity, accent, and background noise. They can be surprisingly good in some cases, but they often contain errors. Always verify the accuracy of auto-generated subtitles, especially if you’re relying on them for important information.

11. Can I contribute subtitles to YouTube videos?

Yes, YouTube allows viewers to contribute subtitles and translations to videos through its community contributions feature. This helps make content more accessible to a wider audience. Not all channels enable this feature, so it depends on the video creator’s settings.

12. What’s the best way to report inaccurate subtitles on YouTube?

If you encounter inaccurate subtitles on a YouTube video, you can report them by clicking the three dots below the video (more actions) and selecting “Report”. Choose “Subtitles/CC” as the reason for the report. This helps YouTube identify and correct errors in its subtitle system.