Subtitle Generator
Create, edit, and export subtitles in SRT, VTT, and ASS formats. Preview on video with live overlay.
Load a video to preview subtitles
Optional — you can edit without video
No subtitles yet
Import a subtitle file or click "Add Subtitle" to start
How It Works
Import or Start Fresh
Import an existing .srt, .vtt, or .ass file, or create subtitles from scratch. Optionally load a video for live preview.
Edit Timing & Text
Set precise start and end times for each subtitle. Type your text and see it displayed on the timeline and video preview.
Export
Download your subtitles as SRT, VTT, or ASS. Use bulk operations to shift or scale all timestamps if needed.
Subtitle Formats Compared
| Format | Best For | Styling | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRT | Most video players, YouTube | Basic (bold, italic) | Universal |
| VTT | Web/HTML5 video | CSS-based positioning | Browsers, web players |
| ASS | Anime, advanced styling | Full (fonts, colors, effects) | VLC, MPC, anime players |
Why Subtitles Increase Video Engagement By 80%+
Adding subtitles isn't just an accessibility checkbox — it materially changes how your video performs. The data:
📱 85% of social videos are watched on mute
Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter — autoplay videos default to muted. Without subtitles, the average viewer scrolls past in 1.5 seconds. With subtitles, average watch time triples. For social media reach, subtitles are non-negotiable.
🔍 YouTube SEO uses subtitle text
YouTube indexes subtitle text just like webpage content. A video with subtitles ranks for queries that match the subtitle text — your video becomes findable for every phrase spoken in it. Auto-generated YouTube captions help, but corrected manual subtitles rank better.
🌍 Subtitles unlock global reach
Once you have an English SRT, translating to 5-10 languages is a single API call away (Google Translate, DeepL). One subtitle file = 10× audience without re-recording. The cost is trivial; the impact is multiplicative.
♿ Legal accessibility requirements
In many jurisdictions, public-facing video content must include captions (US: ADA, EU: WAD). For education content, government communication, and large-company public-facing video, the requirement is enforceable. Better to build the habit early.
Subtitle Creation Workflow Recipes
Three pragmatic ways to subtitle a video, ordered by speed.
⚡ Fastest (10 min): Auto-transcribe + clean up
- Upload to YouTube as unlisted video
- YouTube auto-generates captions in ~5 min
- Download the auto-generated SRT
- Open in this tool, fix capitalisation/timings
- Export final SRT/VTT — use anywhere
🎯 Balanced (30 min): Manual with hint
- Have your script/notes ready (if scripted)
- Start blank in this tool
- Play video, type each line, set start/end at sentence boundaries
- Aim for ~2-3 sec per line, max ~40 chars/line
- Export SRT — accurate, well-timed
🌐 Multi-language (60 min): Translate base SRT
- Create English SRT (Recipe 1 or 2)
- Paste SRT into Google Translate / DeepL
- Re-import translated SRT into this tool
- Adjust timing — non-English lines often need 20-30% more screen time
- Export per-language: en.srt, hi.srt, ta.srt, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SRT, VTT, and ASS subtitle formats?
SRT is the most universal format and works with nearly every video player and platform including YouTube. VTT is designed for web and HTML5 video with CSS-based positioning support. ASS offers advanced styling capabilities like custom fonts, colors, and animation effects, making it popular for anime fansubs.
Can I convert subtitles between different formats?
Yes, you can import subtitles in any supported format (SRT, VTT, or ASS) and export them in a different format. All timing and text content is preserved during conversion, though advanced ASS styling may be simplified when converting to SRT or VTT.
Are my video and subtitle files uploaded to a server?
No, everything happens entirely in your browser. Your video and subtitle files never leave your device. The tool uses JavaScript to parse, edit, and generate subtitle files locally without any server-side processing.
Can I shift all subtitle timestamps at once?
Yes, the bulk operations feature lets you shift all timestamps forward or backward by a specified amount. This is useful when your subtitles are consistently early or late relative to the video audio track.
Which subtitle format should I use for YouTube uploads?
SRT is the recommended format for YouTube as it has universal support and is easy to edit. YouTube also accepts VTT files, but SRT is simpler and more widely compatible across all video platforms and media players.