SRT vs VTT: Which Subtitle Format Should You Use?

You've got your transcript, now you need subtitles. But which format? SRT and VTT are the two most common options, and choosing the right one matters. Here's what you need to know.

What is SRT?

SRT (SubRip Text) is the most widely supported subtitle format. It's been around since 1998 and is almost universally compatible.

SRT Format Structure

1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,000
This is the first subtitle line.

2
00:00:04,500 --> 00:00:08,000
This is the second subtitle line.

Each subtitle block contains:

• A sequential number
• Timestamp (start --> end)
• The subtitle text
• A blank line separator

SRT Pros

• Universal compatibility
• Simple, easy to edit manually
• Supported by virtually all video players
• Works with YouTube, Vimeo, and most platforms

SRT Cons

• No styling options (bold, italic, colors)
• No positioning control
• Limited to basic text

What is VTT?

VTT (WebVTT - Web Video Text Tracks) is the newer, web-native format. It's designed for HTML5 video and offers more features.

VTT Format Structure

WEBVTT

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:04.000
This is the first subtitle line.

00:00:04.500 --> 00:00:08.000
This is the second subtitle line.

Key differences from SRT:

• Starts with "WEBVTT" header
• Uses periods instead of commas in timestamps
• Sequential numbers are optional

VTT Pros

• Native HTML5 support
• Styling options (CSS-like formatting)
• Positioning control
• Supports speaker identification
• Can include metadata and notes

VTT Cons

• Less universal compatibility
• Some older software doesn't support it
• More complex to edit manually

VTT Advanced Features

Styling

VTT supports inline styling:

WEBVTT

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:04.000
<b>Bold text</b> and <i>italic text</i>

00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:08.000
<c.yellow>Colored text</c>

Positioning

Control where subtitles appear:

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:04.000 line:0 position:50% align:center
Top center subtitle

00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:08.000 line:100% position:10% align:left
Bottom left subtitle

Speaker Labels

VTT handles multiple speakers elegantly:

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:04.000
<v Speaker 1>What do you think about this?

00:00:04.500 --> 00:00:08.000
<v Speaker 2>I think it's a great idea.

Which Format to Choose?

Use SRT When:

• Maximum compatibility is needed
• You're unsure what platform will play the video
• You're working with older video software
• You just need basic subtitles without styling

Use VTT When:

• Your video will be on the web (HTML5)
• You need styling or positioning
• You're using modern platforms
• You want speaker identification features

Platform Compatibility

Platform	SRT	VTT
YouTube	✅	✅
Vimeo	✅	✅
Facebook	✅	✅
TikTok	✅	❌
HTML5 Video	✅	✅ (native)
VLC Player	✅	✅
Windows Media	✅	❌

Converting Between Formats

Converting SRT to VTT is simple:

1. Add "WEBVTT" header
2. Replace commas with periods in timestamps
3. Remove sequential numbers (optional)

Most transcription services export both formats, so you can choose based on your needs.

The Bottom Line

For most users, SRT is the safe choice. It works everywhere and is easy to edit.

Choose VTT if you're building for the web and want more control over styling and presentation.

When in doubt, export both. Having both formats gives you flexibility for any situation.