Format comparison

VTT vs SRT: Which Subtitle Format Should You Use?

VTT and SRT are both caption files with timecodes. VTT is web-native with styling options, while SRT is the most widely supported format in editors and players.

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Quick answer

VTT and SRT are both caption files with timecodes. VTT is web-native with styling options, while SRT is the most widely supported format in editors and players.

Choose

VTT

Best for

Web players, streaming pages, and HTML5 video captions

Editors or platforms that only accept SRT

View VTT guide
Choose

SRT

Best for

Broad compatibility with video editors and players

Captions that need positioning or styling

View SRT guide

Format snapshots

Quick definitions and best-use highlights for each format.

VTT.vtt

WebVTT

WebVTT (VTT) is the web standard for captions in HTML5 video. It supports cue timing, positioning, and simple styling.

Best for: Captions for websites and web players

View VTT guide
SRT.srt

SubRip (SRT)

SRT is a subtitle format with numbered cues and timecodes (HH:MM:SS,mmm). It is the most widely supported caption file.

Best for: Uploading captions to video platforms and editors

View SRT guide

Key differences

  • VTT requires a WEBVTT header; SRT uses numbered cues
  • VTT supports cue settings and basic styling; SRT is plain text
  • Timestamp separators: VTT uses a period, SRT uses a comma
  • SRT is accepted by more desktop editors; VTT is ideal for HTML5 video

Common pitfalls

  • Mixing timestamp formats will break parsing
  • Missing the WEBVTT header stops VTT from loading
  • Overlong caption lines reduce readability

When to choose each format

VTT

Best for

Web players, streaming pages, and HTML5 video captions

Avoid when

Editors or platforms that only accept SRT

SRT

Best for

Broad compatibility with video editors and players

Avoid when

Captions that need positioning or styling

Example snippets

WebVTT example

WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.400 Host: Welcome back to the show. 00:00:02.400 --> 00:00:05.100 Guest: Great to be here.

SRT example

1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,400 Host: Welcome back to the show. 2 00:00:02,400 --> 00:00:05,100 Guest: Great to be here.

FAQ

Quick answers for the most common format-decision questions.

Should I use VTT or SRT for subtitles?

Use VTT for HTML5 video, web players, and cue settings. Use SRT when you need broad compatibility with video editors, players, and upload platforms.

Can I convert SRT to VTT?

Yes. The main differences are the WEBVTT header and timestamp style: VTT uses periods for milliseconds, while SRT uses commas.

Which is better for web captions?

VTT is usually better for web captions because it is the WebVTT standard used by HTML5 video.

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