What is SRT?

SRT (SubRip) files are plain text files that contain subtitle data with timing information. Each subtitle entry has a sequence number, start/end timestamps (in HH:MM:SS,MS format), and the text to display. The format is incredibly simple, human-readable, and editable in any text editor, making it the de facto standard for subtitles.

SRT is supported by YouTube, Netflix, VLC, Windows Media Player, and virtually every video platform and player. It's used for movie subtitles, YouTube captions, accessibility (closed captions), language learning, and video localization. The simplicity and universal compatibility make SRT the first choice for subtitle creation.

Did you know? SRT is the most popular subtitle format used by billions of videos online!

History

SRT was created by the SubRip DVD subtitle ripper software and became the universal standard due to its simplicity and effectiveness.

Key Milestones

  • Early 2000s: SubRip software creates format
  • 2005: Widely adopted for video sharing
  • 2010: YouTube adds SRT support
  • 2015: Streaming services standardize on SRT
  • Present: Universal subtitle format

Key Features

Core Capabilities

  • Simple Format: Plain text, easy to edit
  • Timing Info: Precise start/end times
  • Numbered Entries: Sequential subtitles
  • Multi-line Text: Support for line breaks
  • Universal Support: All video players
  • Small File Size: Just text

Common Use Cases

Movies/TV

Video subtitles

YouTube

Video captions

Accessibility

Closed captions for deaf/HOH

Translation

Multi-language subtitles

Advantages

  • Universal player compatibility
  • Simple and human-readable
  • Easy to create and edit
  • Works in any text editor
  • Small file sizes
  • Industry standard
  • Free and open format

Disadvantages

  • Limited styling options
  • No positioning control
  • Encoding issues (UTF-8 recommended)
  • No embedded fonts
  • Basic formatting only

Technical Information

Format Specifications

Specification Details
File Extension .srt
MIME Type text/plain, application/x-subrip
Format Type Subtitle text
Encoding UTF-8 (recommended)
Structure Number, timestamp, text
Typical Size 10-100 KB

Common Tools

  • Editors: Subtitle Edit, Aegisub, Subtitle Workshop
  • Players: VLC, MPC-HC, Windows Media Player
  • Online: YouTube Studio, Amara, Rev
  • Converters: FFmpeg, HandBrake, SubtitleEdit