SRT vs VTT: Which Subtitle Format Should You Use?
Compare SRT and WebVTT subtitle files, learn where each format works, and create either format from audio or video.
SRT and VTT at a glance
| Feature | SRT | WebVTT |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Editors, media players, upload platforms | HTML5 video and web players |
| File extension | .srt | .vtt |
| Header | None | WEBVTT |
| Milliseconds | Comma: 00:00:02,500 | Dot: 00:00:02.500 |
| Cue numbers | Normally numbered | Optional |
| Web styling and positioning | Limited and application-dependent | Defined WebVTT cue features |
Choose SRT for broad compatibility
SRT is the safer default when a video editor, caption service, media player, or publishing platform asks for a subtitle upload. It is a simple text format containing a cue number, start and end timestamps, and caption text.
1
00:00:02,500 --> 00:00:05,200
Welcome to the recording.Always check the destination’s documentation. A platform can impose caption-length, encoding, or language requirements beyond the SRT format itself.
Choose WebVTT for web video
WebVTT was designed for timed text on the web. It starts with a WEBVTT header, uses a dot before milliseconds, and supports web-oriented cue settings that basic SRT does not.
WEBVTT
00:00:02.500 --> 00:00:05.200
Welcome to the recording.For an HTML <video> element with a caption track, VTT is normally the appropriate starting format.
How to create either file
- Open the LocalScribe subtitle generator.
- Select an audio or video file your browser can decode.
- Choose the spoken language and run transcription.
- Review the transcript, especially names, numbers, and technical terms.
- Use SRT for broad upload compatibility or VTT for web video.
- Preview the subtitle file with the destination video before publishing.
LocalScribe generates timestamped cues from the original transcription segments. It does not burn captions into the video image.
An important editing limitation
The plain transcript can be edited, but arbitrary text edits cannot safely be mapped back to the original audio timestamps without alignment. LocalScribe’s timed exports therefore retain the original generated segment text and timing. If you need frame-level timing or rewritten captions, finish the file in a subtitle editor and review it against the media.