WebVTT Format Guide: The Web Standard for Video Subtitles
WebVTT is the HTML5 standard for web video captions. Here's how it differs from SRT and when to use it.
WebVTT (Web Video Text Tracks) is the HTML5 standard for displaying timed text tracks in web browsers. It's the format used natively by the HTML5 <track> element and is supported by all modern browsers. While SRT is older and more universal, WebVTT offers additional features that matter for web-based video.
WebVTT vs SRT: Key Differences
WebVTT files begin with 'WEBVTT' on the first line (a required header SRT lacks). Timecodes use periods instead of commas: 00:00:05.400 vs 00:00:05,400 in SRT. WebVTT supports positioning and alignment — you can place captions anywhere on screen, not just bottom-center. WebVTT supports styling via CSS classes. WebVTT supports cue settings for vertical text (useful for Japanese/Chinese). For basic subtitle use, SRT and VTT are functionally identical. For web-embedded video with specific positioning needs, WebVTT is the better choice.
When to Use WebVTT
Use WebVTT when: embedding video directly in a website using the HTML5 <video> tag, building a custom video player, using platforms that specifically require .vtt format, or needing positioned/styled captions for accessibility compliance. Use SRT when: uploading to YouTube, most social media platforms, or video editing software — SRT has wider compatibility outside web contexts. Most platforms accept both; when in doubt, SRT is safer. Zingo exports both formats.
Converting Between SRT and VTT
Converting SRT to WebVTT is trivial: add 'WEBVTT' as the first line and replace all commas in timecodes with periods. Converting back: reverse the process. Multiple free online converters handle this automatically. Subtitle Edit can batch-convert entire folders of subtitle files between formats. If you're delivering subtitles to multiple platforms, keep master SRT files and convert to VTT as needed.