File formats
What is an SRT file? A subtitle format guide
An SRT file stores subtitles in the SubRip text format. It contains numbered caption blocks with timestamps. It is separate from the recording: sending someone an SRT file gives them subtitle text and timing, but does not include your video or audio.
The four parts of an SRT subtitle
A typical SRT block contains a sequence number, a start and end time separated by an arrow, the caption text, and a blank line. Times use hours, minutes, seconds and milliseconds, with a comma before the milliseconds. A cue can contain more than one line of text.
1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,000
Welcome to the workshop.
2
00:00:04,500 --> 00:00:07,000
Let’s start with the first example.How to open and check an SRT file
Use a plain-text editor to inspect the caption blocks, or import the file into the subtitle controls of your video editor or player. Check captions near the beginning, middle and end of the recording. A file can have valid syntax but still belong to a different edit of the video.
Keep an untouched copy before making changes. If you edit a timestamp, make sure its end remains after its start. If accented characters look broken, check the source encoding; SubtitleDock requires UTF-8 input and exports UTF-8 files.
Convert SRT to VTT or to a text transcript
For a browser video track, use SRT to VTT. For meeting notes or a document, use Subtitle to Text. These tasks have different outputs: VTT retains timing for playback; TXT leaves you with the words for reading.
SubtitleDock processes an existing SRT file without running a speech model. Open or paste the subtitle text, run the relevant tool, review the result and download it. Conversion keeps cue times and text, while format-specific styling is removed with a note.
Can you create SRT subtitles from a video?
Yes, but that requires transcription rather than file-format conversion. Video to Text runs Whisper on your device, displays generated subtitles progressively, and lets you export SRT. Listen back and review names, numbers, punctuation and timing before using the subtitles.
An SRT export also does not make captions a permanent part of the picture. If you need captions that remain visible in every player, use a video editor to render them into the video after reviewing the subtitle file.