Was ist eine SRT-Datei?

An SRT-Datei (SubRip Subtitle file) is a plain text file format that stores subtitle information for video content, including sequential numbering, precise timestamps, and the corresponding subtitle text. As the most widely used subtitle format in video production, SRT files work across virtually every video player, editing platform, and streaming service—making them the go-to choice for content creators, broadcasters, and accessibility professionals.

How SRT Files Work

SRT files follow a simple, standardized structure that makes them both human-readable and machine-compatible. Each subtitle entry contains four required components:

1. Sequential number — A numerical index starting from 1
2. Timestamp — Start and end times in the format HH:MM:SS,mmm –> HH:MM:SS,mmm
3. Subtitle text — The words displayed on screen (typically 1-2 lines)
4. Blank line — Separates each subtitle entry from the next

Here’s what a properly formatted SRT file looks like:

1

00:00:01,500 –> 00:00:04,800

Welcome to today’s interview

with Dr. Sarah Chen.

2

00:00:05,200 –> 00:00:09,100

We’ll be discussing the latest

findings in climate research.

Notice that timestamps use commas (not periods) before milliseconds—a common formatting detail that trips up manual SRT creation. The precision of millisecond timing allows subtitles to sync perfectly with spoken dialogue, even in fast-paced content like news broadcasts or rapid-fire interviews.

Why SRT Files Matter

SRT files solve three critical challenges that video producers, legal teams, researchers, and media professionals face daily:

Accessibility and Compliance: Approximately 15% der amerikanischen Erwachsenen experience some degree of hearing difficulty—that’s over 37 million potential viewers who rely on captions. The WCAG accessibility guidelines and regulations like the ADA increasingly require captions for video content. SRT files provide a straightforward path to compliance while expanding your audience reach.

Engagement and Retention: Studies indicate that 80% of videos on social platforms are watched without sound—whether on muted autoplay or in sound-sensitive environments. On Facebook, captioned video ads see 12% longer viewing times compared to uncaptioned ads, with engagement rates jumping significantly on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram.

SEO and Discoverability: Search engines can’t watch your videos, but they can index your subtitle text. Uploading SRT files helps platforms like YouTube understand your content’s topic and context, improving rankings for relevant search queries. For Journalisten, Forscher, and content marketers, this means your video content becomes as searchable as written articles.

How to Create an SRT File

You have two primary approaches to SRT file creation, each suited to different workflows and volume requirements:

Manual Creation: For short clips or precise control, you can create SRT files in any text editor. Simply follow the four-component structure, ensure your timestamps use the correct format (HH:MM:SS,mmm), and save with a .srt extension. This method works for videos under a few minutes but becomes impractical for longer content—timing dozens or hundreds of subtitle entries by hand is tedious and error-prone.

Automated Generation: AI-powered transcription tools analyze your audio or video and generate time-coded SRT files automatically. Leading services achieve over 99% accuracy for clear audio, handling speaker changes, technical terminology, and multiple languages. For production companies processing hours of footage, legal firms transcribing depositions, or educational institutions captioning lecture recordings, automated SRT generation transforms days of work into minutes.

Sonix, for example, lets you upload video files, automatically transcribe the audio, refine the transcript in a browserbasierter Editor, and export directly to SRT format—complete with options for subtitle length, timing adjustments, and mehrsprachige Übersetzung.

SRT vs. VTT: Choosing the Right Format

While SRT dominates general subtitle use, WebVTT (VTT) files serve specific web-focused needs. Here’s how they compare:

SRT (SubRip Subtitle) Files:

• Nearly universal compatibility across all video players and platforms
• Plain text only—no styling support
• No metadata capabilities
• Geringere Dateigröße
• Best for broad distribution and offline players

VTT (WebVTT) Files:

• Primarily for HTML5 and web-based video players
• Supports styling like bold, italic, colors, and positioning
• Includes metadata support for language tags and descriptions
• Slightly larger file size
• Best for web video and accessible content

The practical takeaway: start with SRT for maximum compatibility, then convert to VTT when you need web-specific styling features. Most professional transcription platforms export to both formats, so you’re never locked into a single option.

Related Terms

• Geschlossene Untertitel — Subtitles that viewers can toggle on or off, typically including sound descriptions for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences
• VTT File — WebVTT format optimized for HTML5 video with styling capabilities
• Transkription — The process of converting spoken audio to written text, which forms the foundation for SRT creation
• Diarisierung der Sprecher — Technology that identifies and labels different speakers in multi-person recordings
• Timecoding — Adding precise timestamps to transcript segments for synchronization with media

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Can I edit an SRT file after it’s been created?

Yes. SRT files are plain text, so you can open them in any text editor (Notepad, TextEdit, VS Code) to adjust timestamps, fix transcription errors, or modify subtitle text. Just maintain the correct format structure—sequence number, timestamps with commas before milliseconds, text, blank line—and save with the .srt extension.

Why do my subtitles appear out of sync with the video?

Timing issues typically stem from incorrect timestamp formatting (periods instead of commas), mismatched video frame rates, or using an SRT file created from a different version of the video. Verify your timestamps follow the HH:MM:SS,mmm format exactly, and ensure your SRT was generated from the same video file you’re using for playback.

What’s the recommended length for subtitle text?

Accessibility best practices suggest keeping each subtitle under 42 characters per line and no more than two lines per entry. This ensures readability across devices—from desktop monitors to mobile phones—and gives viewers enough time to read before the next subtitle appears.

Do SRT files support multiple languages?

Each SRT file contains one language. For multilingual content, create separate SRT files for each language (interview_english.srt, interview_spanish.srt) and upload them as distinct subtitle tracks. Viewers can then select their preferred language in the video player. Translation tools can generate these multilingual versions from a single source transcript.

How do I add an SRT file to my video?

Most platforms accept SRT uploads directly. On YouTube, navigate to YouTube Studio, select your video, click “Subtitles,” add your language, and upload the SRT file. For social media platforms or websites, check each platform’s caption upload options—most support SRT as a standard format. For Filmemacher working in professional editing software, you can import SRT files directly into your timeline.