SRT vs VTT: Which Subtitle Format Should You Use?

SRT and VTT are the two most common subtitle formats. They look similar, but they differ in features and platform support. This guide helps you pick the right one for your video subtitles.

TL;DR

• SRT is simple and widely supported by most platforms.
• VTT supports more styling, metadata, and web-specific features.
• Use the format your platform recommends.

What is SRT?

SRT (SubRip Subtitle) is a plain text format that stores captions with timestamps. It is the most widely used subtitle format across video platforms, streaming services, and tools. If you're looking to add subtitles to your videos, SRT is usually the safest starting point.

Example:

1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,000
Hello and welcome.

What is VTT?

VTT (WebVTT) is a subtitle format designed specifically for web video players. It supports additional features like styling, positioning, and metadata that make it ideal for modern web applications.

Example:

WEBVTT

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:03.000
Hello and welcome.

Key differences between SRT and VTT

| Feature | SRT | VTT | | --- | --- | --- | | Compatibility | Very broad | Strong for web players | | Styling | Limited | Supports cues and styling | | Metadata | No | Yes | | Timestamp format | Commas (HH:MM:SS,mmm) | Periods (HH:MM:SS.mmm) | | Use case | Universal compatibility | Modern web video |

Which should you use?

Choose SRT if:

• You need maximum platform compatibility
• You're uploading to YouTube, Vimeo, or other traditional video platforms
• Your video player doesn't have specific styling requirements
• You want broad support across all devices and players

Choose VTT if:

• You're building web-based video players
• You need advanced styling and positioning for captions
• You want to include metadata and cue settings
• You're working with HTML5 video players

YouTube Subtitle Upload

YouTube supports both SRT and VTT formats. When uploading subtitles to YouTube:

1. Go to your video's details page
2. Click the "Subtitles" section
3. Select "Add language" and choose your language
4. Click "Upload a file" and select your SRT or VTT file
5. YouTube will automatically parse and display your subtitles

For best results on YouTube, ensure your timestamps are accurate and your subtitle text doesn't exceed 42 characters per line. YouTube will wrap longer text automatically, but shorter lines provide better readability.

Converting between SRT and VTT

Converting between these formats is straightforward since the main differences are:

• VTT requires a WEBVTT header at the top
• SRT uses commas in timestamps; VTT uses periods
• VTT may include styling cues that SRT cannot represent

Many online converters and subtitle editing tools can handle this conversion automatically. When converting from VTT to SRT, be aware that you may lose styling information.

Common pitfalls

• Mixing comma and period timestamps (use commas for SRT, periods for VTT)
• Missing the WEBVTT header when creating VTT files
• Incorrect line breaks between cues or missing blank lines
• Timestamps that don't match your video duration
• Text encoding issues when uploading subtitle files

FAQs

Can I convert SRT to VTT? Yes. The conversion is simple—add the WEBVTT header and change comma timestamps to periods. Many editors and online tools automate this.

Do YouTube and Vimeo support both? Yes, both platforms support SRT natively. YouTube also supports VTT. Always check your platform's current requirements, as support can vary by feature.

Why do my captions look out of sync? A small timing offset or timestamp format mismatch is usually the cause. Verify that your timestamps match your video duration and check that you're using the correct delimiter (commas for SRT, periods for VTT).

Which format should I use for web players? VTT is the native format for HTML5 video players and provides better styling support. However, many web players can also parse SRT files, so compatibility depends on your specific player.

Summary

If you want universal compatibility across all platforms, SRT is the safe choice. If you're building modern web applications or need advanced styling, use VTT. For professional subtitle services, many providers default to SRT for maximum compatibility, though VTT is increasingly common for web-based projects.