How to convert subtitles
- Drop an .srt or .vtt file in, or paste the subtitles into the left box.
- Choose VTT, SRT or TXT. The result appears on the right straight away.
- Press Save, or copy the result.
SRT vs VTT: what’s the difference?
| Feature | SRT (SubRip) | VTT (WebVTT) |
|---|---|---|
| Used by | Most video players and editors, many upload forms | Web video players (HTML5), YouTube, online courses |
| Header | None | Starts with “WEBVTT” |
| Time format | 00:00:01,500 (comma) | 00:00:01.500 (full stop) |
| Numbering | Each subtitle is numbered | Optional |
| Styling and positions | Basic tags only | Positions, alignment and classes |
The text and timings are the same, so converting is lossless for ordinary subtitles. When converting VTT to SRT, VTT-only extras such as positions and voice tags are dropped, because SRT can’t store them.
Plain text transcripts
Choose TXT to strip out the numbers and times and keep just the words, one subtitle per line. That’s handy for reading, quoting or turning a video’s captions into notes.
Subtitles out of sync?
If the subtitles appear too early or too late, use the subtitle time shift tool to move them all at once.
Fixing common subtitle problems
- Strange characters such as é instead of é: the file was saved in an older encoding. Open it in a text editor, save it as UTF-8, and convert again. FitVideo always saves UTF-8, which every modern player reads.
- “No subtitle cues found”: check the times use the pattern 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,000 (SRT) or 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:04.000 (VTT), with a blank line between subtitles.
- Italics or bold disappear: basic tags like <i> and <b> are kept in both formats; players that don’t support them simply show plain text.
Where each format is needed
Web players on websites and learning platforms usually want VTT, because it’s the format built into HTML5 video. Desktop players, TVs, video editors and many upload forms expect SRT. YouTube and most social platforms accept both. If a site rejects your file, converting to the other format is the quickest fix.
Questions
How do I convert SRT to VTT?
Drop the SRT file in (or paste it), choose VTT, and save. The times change from commas to full stops and a WEBVTT header is added.
How do I convert VTT to SRT?
Drop the VTT file in, choose SRT and save. Subtitles are numbered and times use commas.
Is anything lost converting VTT to SRT?
Only VTT-specific extras such as positions and styling classes, which SRT can’t store.
Are my subtitles uploaded?
No. The conversion happens in your browser.
Is it free?
Yes. Free, with no sign-up.