Caption and Subtitle File Formats
With so many different subtitle and caption file formats it becomes difficult to pick the right one. To help you choose we’ve compiled a list of the most common formats used in broadcasting, streaming, web and authoring sectors today.
Web Caption or Subtitle File Formats
| File Formats | Description |
| SubRip Video Subtitle Script (*.srt) | This is the most common subtitle/caption file format, especially for YouTube or Facebook captioning. |
| Sonic Scenarist Closed Caption (*.SCC) | One of the most popular formats widely accepted by streaming services |
| WebVTT (*.vtt) | A common format for HTML5 web players since it can retain positional information. |
| Flash XML in Timed Text Authoring Format DFXP (*.xml) or (*.dfxp) | DFXP stands for “Distribution Format Exchange Profile.” It is common for Flash players and used by Netflix. |
| iTunes Captioning (*.ITT) | Format accepted by iTunes. |
| Windows Media Player, RealPlayer (*.smi) | RealText captions for RealMedia video or audio. |
| Flash Script (*.txt) | Windows Media |
| Flash XML for Captionate (*.xml) | XML format used for encoding captions into Flash video. It originated in the caption-embedding software Captionate. |
| PBS COVE (*.sami) | Suitable for some web players and stands for “Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange.” |
| Quick Time Script (*.txt) | For Quicktime Players |
| SMPTE TT (Timed Text) (*.xml) | Widely accepted and for Society of Motion Pictures and Television Engineers. Crackle and DECE CFF variations. |
| YouTube SBV (*.sbv) | It is a YouTube caption format |
| Mijo XML in seconds format (*.xml) | Mijo format |
TV Caption File Formats
| Sonic Scenarist Closed Caption (*.scc) | One of the most popular formats widely accepted by broadcasters or for embedding purposes. Popular standard used for Line 21 broadcast closed captions, web media, DVD, as well as subtitles for iTunes, iPods, iPads, and iPhones. |
| Avid Captions Only AFF (*.aaf) | Easily import in Avid products |
| MacCaption MCC 608/708 (*.mcc) | MacCaption |
| Sony Material eXchange Format (.mxf) | Very popular format which supports the video MXF wrapper. |
| Cheetah Caption (*.asc) | Cheetah International |
| Cheetah Caption (*.cap) | This is a common subtitle/caption file format for broadcast media. It was developed by Cheetah International. |
| CPC/LeapFrog CCaption (*.onl) | CPC 715 |
| CPC-715 Online Caption (*.onl) | CPC 715 |
| EZTITLE Format (*.txt) | Format for the popular subtitling software “Eztitle .” |
| Caption Inc. (*.cin) | Caption Inc format |
| Ultech ULT Caption (*.ult) | Ultec DV2000/3000 |
| Windows CaptionMaker (*.cap) | Format for the popular captioning software CaptionMaker |
Subtitles File Formats
| EBU STL (*.stl) | Popular format for online streaming services. It was developed by Spruce Technologies and known as “Spruce Subtitle File.” |
| Adobe Encore Text (*.txt) | To import into DVD authoring software Adobe Encore. |
| Apple DVD Studio Pro 3 Text (*.txt) | Used for DVD Studio Pro. |
| Blu-ray XML/PNG (*.xml + *.png) | For importing into Bluray Authoring software |
| CVC DVD (*.scr + *.bmp) | As the name implies |
| Daikin Scenarist TIF Graphics (*.sst + *.tif) | As the name implies |
| DVD Architect Pro (*.sub) | As the name implies |
| IDX/SUB (*.idx, *.sub) | VobSub subtitles. It can retain positional and formatting data. |
| Pinnacle Impression DVD Pro (*.txt + *.bmp) | For the Pinnacle DVD software. |
| Sonic Solutions TIF Graphics (*.nav + *.tif) | For Sonic |
| Spruce DVDMaestro TIF Graphics (*.son + *.tif) | For Spruce DVD Maestro software. |
| SubRip Video Subtitle Script (*.srt) | This is the most common subtitle/caption file format, especially for YouTube or Facebook captioning. |