Subtitle formats explained: SRT, VTT, ASS and which one to choose

Understanding Subtitle File Formats

When exporting subtitles from Zorg Subtitle, you'll encounter several format options. Each format has its strengths, ideal use cases, and platform compatibility. This guide will help you understand the differences and make the right choice for your projects.

The Most Common Formats

SRT (SubRip Text)

Overview:

SRT is the most widely used subtitle format. Its simplicity and universal compatibility make it the go-to choice for most applications.

Structure:

1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,000
This is the first subtitle.

2
00:00:04,500 --> 00:00:08,000
This is the second subtitle.

Pros:

• Universal compatibility
• Simple, human-readable format
• Easy to edit in any text editor
• Supported by virtually all video players and platforms

Cons:

• No styling options (bold, colors, positioning)
• No metadata support
• Basic timing precision (milliseconds only)

Best For:

• YouTube uploads
• Most social media platforms
• General video distribution
• When simplicity is preferred

VTT (WebVTT - Web Video Text Tracks)

Overview:

VTT is the web standard for HTML5 video subtitles. It's essentially an evolution of SRT with additional features for web delivery.

Structure:

WEBVTT

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:04.000
This is the first subtitle.

00:00:04.500 --> 00:00:08.000
This is the <b>second</b> subtitle.

Pros:

• HTML5 native support
• Basic styling with CSS
• Positioning options
• Header for metadata
• Cue settings for advanced control

Cons:

• Slightly less compatible than SRT with desktop players
• Styling support varies by player
• More complex than SRT

Best For:

• Web video players (HTML5)
• Websites and web applications
• When basic styling is needed
• Modern streaming platforms

ASS/SSA (Advanced SubStation Alpha)

Overview:

ASS (and its predecessor SSA) offers the most advanced styling options, popular in anime fansubs and karaoke applications.

Structure:

[Script Info]
Title: My Subtitles
ScriptType: v4.00+

[V4+ Styles]
Format: Name, Fontname, Fontsize, PrimaryColour, ...
Style: Default,Arial,20,&H00FFFFFF,...

[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.00,0:00:04.00,Default,,0,0,0,,This is the first subtitle.

Pros:

• Full styling control (fonts, colors, sizes)
• Positioning anywhere on screen
• Animation effects
• Multiple styles per file
• Perfect for creative subtitling

Cons:

• Complex format, harder to edit manually
• Limited platform support
• May not display correctly on all players
• Larger file sizes

Best For:

• Anime and foreign film subtitling
• Karaoke-style videos
• Creative or artistic subtitle presentation
• When visual styling is crucial

Other Important Formats

TTML (Timed Text Markup Language)

An XML-based format used by professional broadcasters and streaming services like Netflix.

Use Case: Professional broadcast and streaming distribution

STL (EBU STL)

European Broadcasting Union standard for television subtitling.

Use Case: Television broadcast in Europe

SBV (SubViewer)

YouTube's native format, similar to SRT but with slightly different syntax.

Use Case: YouTube-specific workflows

Choosing the Right Format

Quick Decision Guide

Platform-Specific Recommendations

YouTube:

• Use SRT for best results
• Also accepts VTT and SBV
• Upload multiple SRT files for multiple languages

Vimeo:

• Supports SRT and VTT
• VTT recommended for styling options

Facebook:

• SRT required
• Auto-generates captions but quality varies

Instagram/TikTok:

• No subtitle file support
• Use embedded (burned-in) subtitles

Netflix/Professional Streaming:

• TTML or proprietary formats
• Strict timing and formatting requirements

Working with Subtitle Formats in Zorg Subtitle

Exporting Your Subtitles

1. Complete your subtitle editing

2. Click the "Export" button

3. Select your desired format

4. Choose quality settings (if burning in)

5. Download or process

Format Conversion

Zorg Subtitle automatically converts between formats. Simply:

1. Import any supported format

2. Edit as needed

3. Export in your desired format

Quality Considerations

Font and Styling:

• VTT and ASS support styling
• SRT styling depends on player support
• Embedded subtitles display exactly as designed

Technical Specifications

Character Encoding

All formats should use UTF-8 encoding for international character support. Zorg Subtitle exports UTF-8 by default.

Timing Precision

Line Breaks

• SRT: Use blank lines between entries
• VTT: Use blank lines between cues
• ASS: Use \N for line breaks within text

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Subtitles Not Displaying

1. Check format compatibility with your player

2. Verify file encoding (UTF-8)

3. Ensure timing is correct

4. Try a different format

Garbled Characters

1. Re-export with UTF-8 encoding

2. Check special characters in source

3. Verify player supports Unicode

Timing Out of Sync

1. Check video frame rate matches export settings

2. Verify start timecode

3. Re-sync using Zorg Subtitle's tools

Styling Not Appearing

1. Confirm player supports the format's styling

2. Use embedded subtitles for guaranteed styling

3. Switch to ASS for maximum compatibility

Best Practices Summary

1. Start with SRT for maximum compatibility

2. Use VTT for web applications

3. Choose ASS when styling matters

4. Embed subtitles for social media

5. Always use UTF-8 encoding

6. Test on target platform before publishing

Conclusion

Understanding subtitle formats empowers you to deliver the best viewing experience for your audience. While SRT covers most use cases, knowing when to use VTT for web delivery or ASS for creative projects ensures your content always looks professional.

Zorg Subtitle supports all major formats, making it easy to create once and export anywhere. Start with your project's requirements, consider your distribution platforms, and choose the format that best serves your audience.