SyncMySubsSubtitle format conversion table
This chart shows which subtitle formats convert to which. Most conversions go through SRT, since it's the simplest format and just about everything supports it.
ASS and SSA can hold styling, positioning, and fonts that plainer formats like SRT and SUB can't. Convert to a plainer format and you keep the text and timing but lose the styling. Pairs marked · don't have their own page yet, but they still work on the home tool. Just drop your file in and it figures out the format.
| from \ to | SRT | VTT | ASS | SSA | SUB | SBV | TTML | DFXP | LRC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SRT | — | → | → | → | → | → | → | → | → |
| VTT | → | — | → | · | · | → | · | · | → |
| ASS | → | → | — | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| SSA | → | · | · | — | · | · | · | · | · |
| SUB | → | → | → | · | — | · | · | · | · |
| SBV | → | → | · | · | · | — | · | · | · |
| TTML | → | · | · | · | · | · | — | · | · |
| DFXP | → | · | · | · | · | · | · | — | · |
| LRC | → | → | · | · | · | · | · | · | — |
→ one-click converter · · available on the home tool · — same format.
What about SMI (SAMI)?
SMI, also written SAMI, is Microsoft's older HTML-based caption format. To convert SMI, you can turn it into SubRip with the SMI to SRT converter.
FAQ
Which subtitle format should you use?
For most cases, SRT: it plays on nearly every device, player, and platform, from VLC to YouTube to social media. Use VTT if you're embedding video on a web page, since that's what HTML5 needs. Choose ASS or SSA only when you need styling, positioning, or karaoke effects, like anime fansubs. SBV is mainly for YouTube captions, and TTML or DFXP show up in broadcast and streaming delivery.
Can you convert any subtitle format to any other?
Mostly, yes. The text and timing carry over cleanly between formats. What doesn't always survive is styling: converting a styled ASS file down to SRT keeps the words and timing but drops the fonts, colours, and positioning, since SRT can't store them. Converting between plain formats like SRT, VTT, and SBV is lossless.