SRT file
Also called SubRip, .srt, SubRip subtitle file
What is an SRT file?
An SRT file is a plain-text subtitle format, named after the SubRip program, that stores captions as numbered blocks. Each block has a sequence number, a start and end timestamp, and one or two lines of text. Because it is simple and widely supported, SRT is the most common format for uploading subtitles and closed captions.
Timestamps use the format hours:minutes:seconds,milliseconds, with a comma before the milliseconds, and an arrow between start and end. A blank line separates blocks. SRT has little styling support, which keeps it portable.
WebVTT (.vtt) is a similar format built for web players. It uses a period before milliseconds, starts with a WEBVTT header and supports positioning and styling. Many tools convert between the two.
Why an SRT file matters
An SRT file lets you add accurate closed captions on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn and most video hosts and players, instead of relying on auto-captions that mangle product names.
It is also reusable. The same file can be translated into other languages, edited in any text editor, and used to burn in open captions for platforms that do not accept caption files.
How to create an SRT file
- Get a transcript of the video from your script or a speech-to-text tool.
- Split it into short captions of one or two lines.
- Give each caption a number and start and end times in HH:MM:SS,mmm format.
- Separate blocks with a blank line and save as UTF-8 text with a .srt extension.
- Upload it with your video and preview the timing.
SRT file example
1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,100
Fresh sourdough, every morning.
2
00:00:02,100 --> 00:00:04,800
Baked at 6am at Crumb & Co.SRT file FAQ
How do I open an SRT file?
Any text editor opens it. Video players such as VLC load it as subtitles if it has the same name as the video file and sits in the same folder.
What is the difference between SRT and VTT?
Both are timed text formats. VTT (WebVTT) is designed for HTML5 web players and supports styling and positioning; SRT is simpler and more widely accepted for uploads.
Related terms
Subtitles are on-screen text of the spoken words in a video, often translated, for viewers who can hear the audio but need or prefer to read it.
Closed captions (CC) are text versions of a video's speech and key sounds that viewers can turn on or off, made for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers.
Open captions are captions burned into the video picture, so they always show and cannot be turned off. They are the norm for social video.
MP4 is the most common video file format: a container that holds video, audio and subtitles, accepted by almost every platform, browser and phone.
Animated captions are on-screen captions that appear or highlight word by word in time with speech, common in Reels, TikTok and Shorts.