# Subtitle media Store text data used for subtitles in QuickTime movies. ## Overview Subtitle media is used to store text data used for subtitles in QuickTime movies. It has a media type of `'sbtl'`. Subtitles provide written versions of audio or visual content, such as to offer alternate language translations or to supplement the content. Subtitles differ from closed captions in that subtitles are usually a translation of the sound track into a different language rather than a transcription of the sound track in the same language. ## Topics ### Storing subtitles [`Subtitle sample description`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Subtitle_sample_description) An atom that defines how to interpret subtitle media data. [`Font table atom ('ftab')`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Font_table_atom) An atom that specifies the font used to display the subtitle. [`Subtitle sample data`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Subtitle_sample_data) An atom that contains subtitle sample data. [`Subtitle style atom ('styl')`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Subtitle_style_atom) An atom that specifies changes to the appearance of a subtitle. [`Text box atom ('tbox')`](/documentation/quicktime-file-format/Text_box_atom) An atom that defines a text box for a subtitle sample. [Subtitle track header size and placement](/documentation/QuickTime-File-Format/Subtitle_track_header_size_and_placement) Specify the size and placement of subtitles. [Referencing a related forced subtitle track](/documentation/QuickTime-File-Format/Referencing_a_related_forced_subtitle_track) Prevent overlapping a timed subtitle track with a forced subtitle track. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)