There are dozens of subtitle formats. Most are plain text (SRT, VTT, ASS) with timecodes and cues, while others (FCPXML, TTML) are XML-based with rich styling. The format you use depends on your target platform:
| Format | Best For | Styling |
|---|---|---|
| SRT | YouTube, web video, universal | None |
| VTT | HTML5 web video | Basic (CSS) |
| FCPXML | Final Cut Pro, DaVinci | Rich (font, color, position) |
| TTML/DFXP | Netflix, Amazon Prime, broadcast | Rich |
| SCC | US broadcast (CEA-608) | Limited |
| iTT | iTunes/Apple devices | Rich |
| ASS/SSA | Anime fansubs, advanced styling | Very rich |
| SUB | MicroDVD, very old | None |
| CSV | Premiere Pro exports | None |
The most common subtitle format. Plain text with cues, timecodes, and content.
1 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,500 Hello, world. 2 00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:06,000 This is the second cue.
Pros: Universal, human-readable, tiny file size, supported everywhere.
Cons: No styling, no positioning, no fonts.
The web standard for HTML5 video. Similar to SRT but with more features.
WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:03.500 <v Speaker>Hello, world.</v>
Pros: Native HTML5 support, basic styling via CSS.
Cons: Only useful for web playback.
Apple's XML format for moving projects between FCPX, DaVinci Resolve, and Premiere. Stores everything: timecodes, effects, fonts, colors, positions.
Pros: Preserves rich styling, opens directly in FCPX without conversion, fully editable.
Cons: Verbose, requires proper v1.14 syntax (v1.11 fails).
W3C standard used by Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and broadcast. XML-based with full styling support.
<tt xmlns="http://www.w3.org/ns/tt">
<body>
<div>
<p begin="00:00:01" end="00:00:03.5">Hello</p>
</div>
</body>
</tt>
Pros: Industry standard for streaming services, full styling.
Cons: Complex syntax.
US broadcast standard for CEA-608 closed captions. Uses special control codes rather than plain text.
Pros: Required for US broadcast TV.
Cons: Limited styling, obscure codes.
Apple's subtitle format for iTunes Store movies and TV shows. XML-based.
Pros: Required for iTunes delivery.
Cons: Apple-specific.
Highly styled subtitle format popular for anime fansubs and karaoke. Supports per-character animation, fonts, colors.
Pros: Most powerful styling of any text format.
Cons: Not widely supported in professional tools.
Convert subtitles when:
Our FCPXML Converter handles all 16+ formats mentioned above, with batch operations, format-specific settings (fps, orientation, font, color), and 100% local browser processing.