---
title: ".srt file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .srt file is a SubRip Subtitle. The plain-text subtitle format almost every player understands. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/srt/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .srt files

**.srt file: SubRip Subtitle**

The plain-text subtitle format almost every player understands.

## What opens a .srt file

- **Windows:** VLC (loads with the video), Notepad (built in), Subtitle Edit
- **macOS:** VLC (loads with the video), TextEdit (built in), IINA
- **Linux:** VLC (loads with the video), Text Editor (built in), mpv

## What a .srt file is

An SRT file is a numbered list of timecodes and lines of dialogue in plain text, produced originally by the SubRip ripping tool. It carries no styling beyond basic italics and bold, which is exactly why it is universal. Name it the same as the video file and put it in the same folder and most players load it automatically; if the text appears as mojibake, the file was saved in a different character encoding than the player assumed.

## Converting it

A .srt file is commonly converted to .vtt, .ass, .sub or .txt. It is a plain text format, so any text editor can open and edit it directly.

## Details

- **Extension:** .srt
- **Full name:** SubRip Subtitle
- **Category:** Video
- **MIME type:** application/x-subrip
- **Created by:** SubRip
- **Format:** Plain text

## Common questions

### How do I open a .srt file?

On Windows use VLC (loads with the video); on macOS use VLC (loads with the video); on Linux use VLC (loads with the video). The plain-text subtitle format almost every player understands.

### What is a .srt file?

SubRip Subtitle. An SRT file is a numbered list of timecodes and lines of dialogue in plain text, produced originally by the SubRip ripping tool. It carries no styling beyond basic italics and bold, which is exactly why it is universal.

### Can I convert a .srt file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .vtt, .ass, .sub or .txt, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.mp4 — MPEG-4 Part 14 Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mp4/)
- [.mov — QuickTime Movie](https://atoneplace.net/file/mov/)
- [.mkv — Matroska Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mkv/)
- [.avi — Audio Video Interleave](https://atoneplace.net/file/avi/)
- [.webm — WebM Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/webm/)
- [.ts — MPEG Transport Stream](https://atoneplace.net/file/ts/)
- [.wmv — Windows Media Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/wmv/)
- [.mpg — MPEG-1 / MPEG-2 Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mpg/)
- [.m4v — iTunes Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/m4v/)
- [.vtt — WebVTT Caption](https://atoneplace.net/file/vtt/)
- [.swf — Shockwave Flash Movie](https://atoneplace.net/file/swf/)
- [.mts — AVCHD Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mts/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)