SRT file is the most popular type of closed subtitles for video files, vlog posts, online recordings, and other kinds of video content. Closed subtitles or captions are created as a separate file added to the playback application or an online platform. They can be edited as plain text without affecting video or audio content, downloaded or uploaded, turned on or off, translated into foreign languages, or handled in any other way.

Interesting fact! As much as 15% of adult Americans experience hearing issues.

In this article, we'll explain what an SRT file is, what it consists of, and how it can be created and used. We'll also consider its advantages and drawbacks, discuss common errors and ways to avoid or fix them, and answer the most frequently asked questions.

What is an SRT file

An SRT file is a document with plain-timed text. It contains the written version of the video's spoken part (either only dialogues or non-speech sounds as well) and timecodes. SRT stands for SubRip subtitle. The legend says that it's a pun on "subscript", but it most probably derives from the verb "to rip", as the transcript is "ripped out" of the audio or video file.

Subtitles, in general, and SRT files, in particular, are highly beneficial for video posts. They make the content accessible for ESL (English as a second language) speakers who may experience difficulties with perceiving audio information, viewers with hearing impairments, and those who prefer watching recordings in a mute mode.

Subtitle files can be translated into various languages. This way, the video becomes accessible globally and reaches a wider audience worldwide. Added as a separate file, especially as text transcripts below the video, captions are indexed by search engines, enhancing the content's SEO and visibility.

An SRT file format has several undeniable benefits:

  • Simplicity. You can create an SRT file manually with the help of any text editor, even Notepad or Microsoft Word.
  • Compatibility. This format is compatible with most, if not all, playback tools and video platforms.
  • Small size. As a subrip subtitle file doesn't contain any metadata besides the plain text, it takes very little memory.

Other benefits, common to any caption format, are mentioned in the introduction, including enhanced accessibility, improved SEO visibility, a wider reach, and increased audience engagement.

For example, my family has different mother tongues. Overall, we speak 5 languages but share only 3 of them. So, whenever we want to watch something, we set the video in one of our native languages and subtitles in another. This way, captions allow us to spend quality time together without additional ado.

As for usage, SRT files are commonly used for closed captioning on social media. In fact, their popularity is largely attributed to the rise of TikTok and similar platforms. For example, YouTube video channel hosts often include captions in their posts or utilize an auto-generation function.

If you're looking for subtitle files only in the desired language for a film or show, consider checking out the following resources: OpenSubtitles, Subscene, TVsubs, and Addic7ed.

SRT files are not the only option to fit your video with captions. Other subtitle file formats include (but are not limited to):

  • SUB (MicroDVD). This format synchronizes the subtitle text with the video content by frame number instead of timestamp.
  • SSA (Sub Station Alpha). It's an advanced file format with various settings.
  • SMI (SAMI). Documents with this extension are very similar to HTML markdown.
  • VTT (WebVTT). This type is like an updated SRT, as it has a similar structure with several additional options.
  • SCC (Scenarist Closed Caption). These files require decoding and can't be edited manually as raw data.
  • TTML (timed Text Markup Language). A complex caption format used for advanced web-based applications.
  • TXT (Notepad). Just common plain text.
  • CAP (Videotron Lambda). A very popular format for Asian languages.

Nevertheless, despite such abundance, SRT remains the most popular subtitle file format.

SRT file structure

Let's explore the insides of an SRT file. It has a fixed structure:

  1. An ordinal number for each block of subtitles: 1, 2, 3, etc.
  2. A timestamp in the following format: hours:minutes:seconds,milliseconds (start) --> hours:minutes:seconds,milliseconds (end). Ensure your viewers have sufficient time to read the text.
  3. Subtitle text. Remember that the caption length shouldn't exceed 40 characters; the recommended size is up to 32 characters. At most, one subtitle should fit into one or two lines.
  4. A blank line to separate captions.

How to create an SRT file

As you can see, there is no magic in an SRT file; it simply has a logical structure that allows anyone to create one. And there are three main approaches:

  • Manual audio transcribing. Each minute of the initial recording will take approximately 4 minutes of diligent work.
  • Help from transcription studios. It will cost you an arm and a leg, but the final product will be impeccable.
  • Auto-generation with the help of special tools. It will take a relatively short time; however, the output will require revision.

How to manually create an SRT file

Choose the text editor you like: Notepad, Notepad++, Word, Wordpad, TextEdit, etc. Turn on the video, listen to it for 5-10 seconds, pause, and write the transcript down, following the above structure. When you're done, hit the "save as" button and save the document with an SRT file extension.

Advantages

  • You have full control over the situation; you decide what to transcribe and what to omit. You can also add comments, notes, or extra information if needed.
  • It's free :)

Disadvantages

  • Transcribing may turn into a challenging endeavour if the speakers have heavy accents, mumble, or the sound is poor.
  • It's time-consuming. Be ready to spend about 4 times longer than the whole audio or video content lasts.

How to automatically create an SRT file

You can generate an SRT file in several simple steps using the Add Subtitles tool from Clideo:

  1. Open the tool in any browser and upload a video file from your device or cloud storage.
  2. Select "Auto subtitles" and set up the original language. It's English by default.
  3. When the subtitles are generated, you can revise and edit them, if needed, then save them to the chosen location. You can choose between TXT and SRT file formats.

Advantages

  • The tool also allows creating a video with embedded open captions.
  • The same tool allows you to upload SRT files for further editing if you have ready ones.
  • The whole process goes automatically and takes little time.
  • If you need to transcribe just a short, several-minute-long video once or twice a month, you can create SRT files for free. If you exceed this limit, you can leverage the reasonably priced Clideo Pro subscription.

Disadvantages

  • Created SRT captions need revision.
  • The output accuracy depends on the audio quality.
  • The downloaded SRT file includes the default styling option only.

Common SRT file errors and how to fix them

Let's suppose you've carefully followed the instructions above, and yet, when uploading your freshly created SRT file, you still receive an error message. What could possibly go wrong?

Wrong file format

Revise the document to ensure all requirements are met. Is the needed structure kept? Are there always blank lines after each block of subtitles? Isn't anything missing? Most probably, you have a typo somewhere.

Video duration doesn't match

Make sure the subtitles don't exceed the video duration. Also, check if the end timestamp is always "bigger" than the start one, so there is no "negative timing" paradox.

The file contains unsupported symbols or text formatting tags

Stick to the plain text without markdown.

Wrong file extension

You might think that you've saved the document with an SRT extension, but in fact, it will be something like subtitles.txt.srt, as the system hides file extensions for known formats. In such a case, if you have a PC, follow this manual:

  1. Open the Control Panel and look for File Explore Options.
  2. Open the View tab.
  3. Uncheck the box "Hide extensions for known file types".
  4. Save the settings by clicking subsequently Apply and OK.

Now, rename your file, making sure it has the proper extension.

How to use SRT files

You can use SRT files both locally, while watching a movie on a desktop or mobile device, and online, to make your video content more accessible.

Modern playback software and applications, such as VLC media player and others, mainly support SRT subtitles. However, inbuilt or obsolete solutions may experience compatibility issues. They may also occur while using Windows Media Player.

The exact manual on how to upload captions varies depending on the tool, but it's usually quite intuitive. However, if subtitles are not showing when the video is played, make sure the SRT file is saved to the same folder as the video, and their names match. Also, check if you turned them on in the player.

As for online media, you can add subtitles not only to vlog posts or other visuals but even to audio content, such as podcasts or audiobooks. Like with offline "local" tools, you can choose among multiple platforms, such as YouTube, Facebook, and others, according to your aims and budget.

Depending on the chosen resource, you can post a video and add your own SRT file, generate subtitles automatically (which may be the only available option for live video), or import a video with already embedded open captions.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What does SRT stand for?

SRT is an extension used for SRT files. It stands for SubRip Subtitle.

Which program can open an SRT file?

You can open an SRT file in a simple text editor like Notepad, Notepad++, Word, WordPad, TextEdit, etc.

Can I edit an SRT file after it's been created?

Sure. Just open an SRT file in any text editor and edit it as you need. For example, make sure the next line after each caption block is blank, etc.

How do I synchronize subtitles if they're out of sync with the video?

Manually, by checking the timestamps, or automatically, with the help of subtitle tools, like Clideo.

What is the difference between SRT and subtitles?

Subtitles or captions are text transcriptions of spoken dialogues and, optionally, non-verbal sounds. SRT is one of the possible caption formats for saving subtitles as a text document and uploading them to video or audio files.

Conclusion

No doubt, SRT files are here to stay for longer. Not only are they used for closed captions for video files, but they are also used with audio tracks, podcasts, and other content types. Moreover, SRT captions are easy to create and maintain, have a transparent structure, and can be edited even as a common text file. With the help of Clideo tools, your work with subtitles will go fast and smoothly.

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