Subtitle Converter

The Subtitle Converter converts caption files between the two most common formats on the web: SRT (SubRip) and WebVTT (the .vtt format).

Paste a subtitle file into the input box, choose a direction, and the converter rewrites the timestamps, adds or removes the header, and fixes the cue numbering so the output is valid in its new format.

It all happens in your browser. Your subtitle files are never uploaded or stored, so even unreleased scripts and private recordings stay on your own device.

What is the difference between SRT and VTT?

SRT and WebVTT both describe when each line of text should appear on screen, but they differ in three small, important ways.

First, the timestamp separator: SRT writes milliseconds after a comma, as in 00:00:01,500, while VTT uses a dot, as in 00:00:01.500.

Second, VTT files must begin with a WEBVTT header line, which SRT files never have.

Third, SRT numbers every cue sequentially, whereas VTT usually leaves those numbers out. This converter handles all three differences for you automatically.

How to convert subtitles

1. Choose your Conversion direction: SRT to WebVTT, or WebVTT to SRT.
2. Paste the contents of your .srt or .vtt file into the input box.
3. Click Convert to generate the reformatted subtitles on the right.
4. Press Load Sample first if you want to see a working example.
5. Use Copy or Download to save the result as a .vtt or .srt file.

Why does the format matter for video?

WebVTT is the format the HTML5 <track> element expects, so browser-based video players and many streaming platforms require it for captions to display.

SRT, by contrast, is the classic desktop format understood by media players like VLC, editing suites, and most upload tools. Converting between the two lets the same captions work everywhere.

What the converter does under the hood

When you convert SRT to VTT, the tool prepends the required WEBVTT header and swaps every comma decimal separator for a dot, keeping your text lines exactly as written.

Going the other way, it strips the header, replaces each dot with a comma, and adds fresh sequential cue numbers starting at 1, since SRT expects them.

Multi-line captions, blank lines between cues, and cue timing are all preserved, so the timing of your subtitles never shifts during conversion.

Will my timings and text change?

No. The converter only reformats structure — separators, headers, and numbering. The actual timecodes and the words on each line are carried across untouched.

That means a caption that appears at exactly 1.5 seconds in your SRT file still appears at exactly 1.5 seconds in the VTT output.

Related text tools

Subtitle files often arrive with messy spacing, so the Whitespace Cleaner is handy for trimming stray tabs and trailing spaces before you convert.

To swap a recurring word across every caption, reach for Find and Replace, and use Remove Duplicate Lines to clear out accidentally repeated caption lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are my subtitle files uploaded anywhere?

No. The entire conversion runs in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your subtitle text is never sent to, stored on, or seen by any server, so unreleased scripts and private captions stay on your device.

What is the difference between the SRT and VTT timestamp format?

SRT separates the milliseconds with a comma, like 00:00:01,500, while WebVTT uses a dot, like 00:00:01.500. The converter swaps this separator automatically in whichever direction you choose.

Does converting change the timing of my captions?

No. Only the formatting — the timestamp separator, the WEBVTT header, and cue numbering — is changed. The actual timecodes and text on each line are preserved exactly, so your captions stay perfectly in sync.

Why does WebVTT need a WEBVTT header?

The WEBVTT header on the first line is what identifies the file as valid WebVTT to browsers and video players. When converting SRT to VTT the tool adds it, and when converting back to SRT it removes it, since SRT files must not include it.

Does it handle multi-line captions?

Yes. Captions that span two or more lines are kept intact, with their line breaks preserved. Blank lines that separate one cue from the next are also maintained so the output stays valid.

Can I convert a WebVTT file that has cue settings?

Yes. Cue setting text that follows a VTT timing line is carried through when converting to VTT. When converting to SRT, the timing is reformatted with comma separators and sequential numbers as the SRT format expects.

---