SRT Format (SubRip Subtitle)
SRT (SubRip Text) is the most common subtitle file format. Originally created by the SubRip software, it is a plain-text format where each subtitle entry consists of a sequential index, a start → end timestamp, and one or more lines of text.
The format is deliberately simple: a number, a timestamp line in HH:MM:SS,mmm --> HH:MM:SS,mmm format, the subtitle text (one or two lines), and a blank line to separate entries. No binary headers, no proprietary encoding. This simplicity made SRT the de facto standard for video platforms and players worldwide.
When translating SRT files, the timestamp structure must remain intact — only the text content should change. Translated text often differs in length, which can cause subtitle text to overflow the on-screen display area. Translation tools designed for subtitles (including Vernacia) preserve the original timestamps and flag segments where the translated text significantly exceeds the source length.
Key concepts
- Plain-text format: index → timestamp → text → blank line per subtitle entry
- Timestamps are in HH:MM:SS,mmm format and must not be modified during translation
- VTT (WebVTT) is a similar format used natively by HTML5 video — Vernacia supports both
How Vernacia uses this
Vernacia translates SRT and VTT subtitle files as a supported document format. Upload your .srt or .vtt file, pick the target language, and download the translated version with all timestamps preserved.
Related terms
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