Subtitle files make your videos more accessible and engaging. In this article, you’ll learn what an SRT file is, how it works, how to create one, and how to troubleshoot common issues when using subtitle files across platforms.
What is an SRT File?
An SRT file (SubRip Subtitle file) is a plain-text file used to display subtitles alongside video content. It contains:
A sequence number
Start and end timecodes for when each subtitle should appear
The subtitle text
SRT files do not include audio, video, or any styling (like fonts or colors).
Example SRT Format
1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,000
Welcome to our tutorial.
2
00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,000
Here’s how to use subtitles.
Each subtitle block contains four lines:
The sequence number
The start and end timestamps (formatted as
HH:MM:SS,MS)The subtitle text
A blank line separating it from the next subtitle
How to Create or Download an SRT File
Option 1: Download from VEED
Open your project in the VEED Editor.
Navigate to the Subtitles tab.
Click on the Settings button.
Hover over Download and select .SRT format.(Available only on paid plans.)
Option 2: Create Manually
You can create an SRT file in any text editor like Notepad (Windows), TextEdit (Mac), or Notepad++:
Open a new text file.
Write your subtitles in the correct SRT format.
Save the file with the .srt extension (not
.txt).
In basic editors, choose “Save As…” and rename the file using .srt.
Troubleshooting SRT File Errors
Sometimes, subtitle files won’t import correctly into other platforms or editors. Here are common issues and how to fix them:
No Subtitles Show Up?
There may be:
A formatting issue in the first subtitle block
A missing blank line
An incorrect timestamp
Some Subtitles Don’t Appear?
Check the formatting just after the last subtitle that appears. Often, the next subtitle contains an error that breaks the rest of the file.
Common SRT Mistakes to Avoid
Start and end times can’t be the same
❌00:00:04,520 --> 00:00:04,520
✔️ Use different timestamps for start and end.No empty lines in subtitle text
❌2
00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,000
This line will
break the file.✔️
2
00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,000
This line is correct.New lines between subtitles must be empty
❌ A space or tab between subtitles will cause import errors
✔️ Always use a blank line with no characters at allNo empty subtitle boxes are allowed
❌
2
00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,000
3
00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:10,000
This subtitle won't work.✔️
2
00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,000
This subtitle is correct.
FAQ
Q: Can I upload TXT files as subtitles to VEED?
No. If you want to upload subtitles, it has to be either in SRT or VTT format, and the text has to be formatted correctly. TXT is not a subtitle file format, and it is not supported.
Q: I'm trying to upload the SRT file from VEED to another site, but it's not allowing me to do so. What is the issue?
There can be a few reasons. If the platform tells you which line is the issue, open the subtitle file in Notepad or any text editor and check that line to make sure it follows the format rules. If there is no information about which line has the error, please check the subtitles one by one. Make sure that the file follows the formatting rules of the file format and that you avoid the common mistakes described above.
Q: VEED allows me to set the start and end times to be the same. Why does it allow this if the format doesn't support it?
Our editor allows you to set the start and end times to be the same, which makes it easier to edit the times of the subtitles. Please make sure that if you set the start and end times to be the same, you change them afterward to avoid the subtitle file not working on other platforms.