SubRip Subtitle
Subtitles & CaptionsSRT stores numbered subtitle cues, timestamps and text, not video/audio. Load it alongside a video and check encoding/timing. Advanced positioning/styling may not transfer reliably.
- What it is used for
- Subtitle text and display timing
- What the file contains
- Text
All sections, questions and sources
Content reviewed： · Editor：Kai
Opening steps
Choose your environment or purpose to see its steps.
Menu labels and support vary by app, OS and version. Preserve the original before making changes.
Troubleshooting by symptom
- Garbled text: identify encoding and save a copy in a supported encoding such as UTF-8.
- Not displayed: check subtitle selection/loading and timestamp syntax.
- Increasing drift: compare video edition, cuts and duration instead of only applying a fixed offset.
- Selected but invisible: inspect first cue, track activation and timestamp syntax.
- Constant offset: compare video start and subtitle offset.
- Double captions: inspect already burned-in text and simultaneous subtitle tracks.
SRT → VTT / ASS
- Use a supported exporter and verify timestamp syntax/encoding.
- Check early, middle and final cues, line breaks and overlaps in the target player.
- Validate video edition, encoding and synchronization at three positions.
Changing formats does not fix synchronization or invent styling/position information.
Inspect numbers, timestamps, text and separators
Check reversed timing, timestamp separators and missing cue boundaries in a subtitle editor.
Formatting support varies; validate line breaks and text in the intended player.
Source for these steps：Library of Congress · SubRip Subtitle format (SRT) / Aegisub Project · Exporting / VideoLAN · Subtitles — VLC desktop user documentation
Match the edition, not only the filename
Logos, ads or different cuts change timing; use the drift pattern to select a correction.
Keep source/corrected subtitles separately and record the matched video edition.
Source for these steps：Library of Congress · SubRip Subtitle format (SRT) / Aegisub Project · Exporting / VideoLAN · Subtitles — VLC desktop user documentation
Related-format differences
| Format | Main role | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| SRT | Basic timed captions | Encoding/sync |
| VTT | Web timed text | Header/timestamps |
| ASS | Styled subtitles | Fonts/layout |
Handling and security
Do not install unfamiliar executables/codecs just to obtain subtitles; keep private captions off public services.
Questions and answers
Does SRT play a video?
No; it contains text/times and needs the video.
Can I rename it VTT?
Convert the header/timestamp syntax.
Does matching the video name guarantee sync?
Different cuts/editions can have different timing.
Does saving as UTF-8 always repair text?
First decode the original correctly; saving corrupted text as UTF-8 does not restore it.
How do burned-in captions differ from SRT delivery?
SRT is a selectable track; burned-in text becomes video pixels and needs video export.
Format facts: name, steward and MIME type
- Formal name
- SubRip subtitle text
- Steward / specification
- SubRip / subtitle software ecosystem
- MIME type
- Depends on the producer or server; an extension alone does not establish a MIME type.
Primary and official sources
- Official documentationSubRip Subtitle format (SRT)
Documents SRT timing, caption blocks and encoding.
Library of Congress · Link checked： - Project documentationExporting
Reference for subtitle export controls.
Aegisub Project · Link checked： - Official documentationSubtitles — VLC desktop user documentation
Load subtitles and select a subtitle track.
VideoLAN · Link checked：