SRT to VTT for HTML5 Video: Fix Common Timestamp and Line-Break Issues Before You Export

TL;DR

• SRT uses commas for milliseconds; VTT uses periods and requires the WEBVTT header.
• Clean line breaks (1–2 lines per cue), normalize timestamps, and validate before export.
• Convert fast with SRT to VTT in the browser—no uploads, no signup.

Key Differences: SRT vs VTT

• Header: VTT needs WEBVTT on the first line; SRT has none.
• Timestamps: 00:00:01,000 (SRT) → 00:00:01.000 (VTT).
• Styling/Notes: VTT can include notes/cues; keep them minimal for compatibility.

Clean Conversion Checklist

1. Add WEBVTT as the first line.
2. Replace commas with periods in timestamps.
3. Keep cues 1–2 lines, ~35–42 chars per line to avoid wrapping issues.
4. Ensure no overlaps; add a small gap (50–100ms) if needed.
5. Save/serve as UTF-8.

Example Conversion

SRT input:

1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,000
Hello, world!

VTT output:

WEBVTT

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:03.000
Hello, world!

Common Issues (and Fixes)

• Bad timestamps: commas instead of periods; fix automatically in the converter.
• Missing header: add WEBVTT or players will reject the file.
• Weird line breaks: wrap lines before exporting; keep 1–2 lines per cue.
• Encoding problems: export as UTF-8 to avoid garbled characters.

How to Convert in Seconds (Browser-Only)

Use SRT to VTT:

• Upload/paste SRT.
• Auto-add header and normalize timestamps.
• Preview cues; download .vtt instantly. Files stay on your device.

FAQ

Do you store my files?
No. Conversion runs locally in your browser.

Will styling be preserved?
SRT/VTT are plain text; basic formatting stays. For rich styling, use ASS.

Can I shift timing?
Yes—use Subtitle Time Shift if you need offsets or overlap fixes before exporting.

Ready to export?

Convert with SRT to VTT and ship a clean WebVTT file for HTML5 players.