What are subtitles and why do they matter?

Subtitles are timed text overlays synchronized with video content that display dialogue, narration, or sound descriptions. They serve multiple critical purposes: making videos accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers, enabling content consumption in sound-sensitive environments, helping language learners understand foreign content, and improving video SEO. Professional subtitle files use standardized formats like SRT (SubRip) and WebVTT (Web Video Text Tracks) that encode precise timing information—down to milliseconds—to ensure text appears and disappears at exactly the right moments during playback.

Tool Description

This subtitle editor online provides a complete environment for creating, editing, and synchronizing subtitle files with video content. Upload existing SRT or WebVTT subtitle files, or create new ones from scratch using this free online SRT editor. The tool features a side-by-side video preview with real-time subtitle overlay, allowing you to edit subtitles and see exactly how they'll appear to viewers. Use the subtitle timing editor to adjust timestamps with millisecond precision, modify subtitle text, add new entries, or delete unwanted ones. The synchronized playback automatically highlights the current subtitle as the video plays, making it easy to verify timing accuracy. Export your finished work in either SRT or WebVTT format for use across different video platforms.

Features

  • Dual Format Support: Import and export subtitle files in both SRT (SubRip) and WebVTT formats with this online SRT editor
  • Video Preview: Upload videos in MP4, WebM, or OGG format to preview subtitles in real-time as you edit
  • Synchronized Playback: Video and subtitle list automatically sync—clicking a subtitle seeks the video to that timestamp
  • Real-Time Overlay: Active subtitles display directly over the video during playback
  • Precise Timing Control: Advanced subtitle timing editor with millisecond accuracy using formatted time inputs (HH:MM:SS,mmm)
  • Text Editor: Full-featured code editor for modifying subtitle text with multi-line support
  • Visual Timeline: See all subtitles in a scrollable list with timing information
  • Auto-Scroll: Subtitle list automatically scrolls to keep the current entry visible during playback
  • Add/Delete Controls: Create new subtitle entries or remove existing ones
  • Smart Defaults: New subtitles automatically calculate start time based on the previous entry
  • Click-to-Seek: Jump to any subtitle by clicking it in the list
  • Active Highlighting: Currently playing subtitle is visually highlighted in the list

Use Cases

  • Content Creators: Add professional subtitles to YouTube videos, tutorials, or social media content using this subtitle editor online
  • Translators: Create localized subtitle files for international audiences and edit subtitles in multiple languages
  • Accessibility Compliance: Ensure video content meets accessibility standards (WCAG, ADA) with properly timed captions
  • Video Editors: Fine-tune subtitle timing after video edits or cuts with the precise timing editor
  • Language Learners: Create custom subtitles for study materials or practice content
  • Podcast Video Versions: Add captions when converting audio podcasts to video format
  • Live Stream Archives: Add accurate subtitles to recorded live streams
  • Educational Content: Create subtitles for online courses and training videos
  • Marketing Videos: Add captions for social media videos that autoplay without sound
  • Film and TV Production: Generate subtitle files for streaming platforms and distribution

Supported Formats

Import Formats:

  • SRT (SubRip Text) - .srt
  • WebVTT (Web Video Text Tracks) - .vtt

Export Formats:

  • SRT (SubRip Text) - .srt
  • WebVTT (Web Video Text Tracks) - .vtt

Video Formats:

  • MP4 - .mp4
  • WebM - .webm
  • Ogg - .ogg

Timing Format

All subtitle timing uses the format: HH:MM:SS,mmm

  • HH: Hours (00-99)
  • MM: Minutes (00-59)
  • SS: Seconds (00-59)
  • mmm: Milliseconds (000-999)

Example: 00:01:23,456 = 1 minute, 23 seconds, and 456 milliseconds