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Subtitle guide

How to convert subtitle files for web players

TL;DR — A practical guide to preparing subtitle files for browser playback and HTML5-based video components.

Most web players prefer VTT, even if your subtitles started as SRT or ASS.

Typical starting points

  • You downloaded subtitles as SRT
  • Your editing workflow produced ASS
  • Your archive or old project still uses SRT

Typical destination

The destination is usually VTT, because that is the most browser-friendly format for HTML5 video workflows.

Conversion rules

  • SRT -> VTT when you just need browser playback
  • ASS -> VTT when you are leaving a styled editing workflow
  • VTT -> SRT when a collaborator or tool still needs the simpler format

Before you ship the file

Check these points:

  • Timing still looks correct
  • Multi-line captions still break where expected
  • Browser playback accepts the file without errors

Try it with our free tools

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