SRT vs VTT: Which Subtitle Format Should You Export?
· 6 min read
Both formats carry the same core information: a numbered cue, a time range, and text. The differences show up in browser support, styling, and metadata. Choosing wrong usually means exporting twice.
What is SRT?
SubRip Text is the oldest widely supported subtitle format. Each cue is an index, a timestamp line with a comma before milliseconds, and one or more lines of text. It has no header and no styling beyond optional tags that players interpret inconsistently.
What is VTT?
WebVTT was designed for the web. It starts with a WEBVTT header, uses a period before milliseconds, and supports cue settings such as line position and alignment, plus region definitions and comments. It is the format HTML video elements expect when you attach a track.
Where the two differ in practice
On plain text cues the two files are nearly interchangeable. The differences that matter are technical.
Browser support
VTT is supported natively by the track element. SRT requires conversion or a player that accepts it.
Styling and positioning
VTT can position cues and apply limited styling. SRT cannot do this portably.
Metadata
VTT allows comments and regions; SRT has no standard place for either.
Millisecond separator
SRT uses a comma, VTT uses a period. A file with the wrong separator may fail to load silently.
How to choose
If the subtitles go into a web page's video element, use VTT. If they go into a desktop editor, a broadcast pipeline, or a tool that has accepted SRT for years, use SRT. When a platform accepts both, prefer VTT for anything web-native.
Common mistakes
Renaming a file extension does not convert the format: the millisecond separator and header still differ. Overlapping cues, which SRT tolerates unevenly, also cause flicker in some players.
Conclusion
Export VTT for the web and SRT for editing pipelines. If you are unsure, export both — they come from the same transcript and cost nothing extra.