The formats, in one paragraph each
SRT is the universal veteran — numbered cues, comma decimals, supported everywhere. VTT is its web-native successor, required by HTML5 players and YouTube's web tools. SBV is YouTube Studio's own caption export — simpler than SRT, rarely accepted elsewhere, which is why "sbv to srt" is such a common need. ASS/SSA is the powerhouse of the anime and karaoke world: full styling, positioning and effects — which all vanish by design when converting down to SRT. LRC is synchronized lyrics for music players, one timestamp per line.
What conversion keeps and what it drops
Timing and text always survive. What can't survive is anything the target format has no syntax for: ASS styling tags, VTT positioning, LRC's lack of end-times (we infer each line's end from the next line's start). Converting between SRT and VTT is lossless in both directions for normal subtitle content.
Subtitles out of sync after conversion? That's a timing problem, not a format problem — use the subtitle sync fixer to shift or retime them. Just want the words? SRT to text strips the timing entirely.
FAQ
How do I convert SBV to SRT?
Drop the .sbv file (YouTube’s caption export format) into the tool above, choose SRT as the output, and download. SBV and SRT store the same information — the converter rewrites the timestamp syntax and adds cue numbers.
How do I convert ASS/SSA subtitles to SRT?
Upload the .ass or .ssa file and choose SRT output. Styling override tags (fonts, colors, positioning, karaoke effects) are stripped, since SRT cannot represent them — the dialogue text and timing convert cleanly. Line breaks written as \N are preserved.
Can I convert LRC lyrics to subtitles?
Yes — LRC files (synchronized lyrics) convert to SRT or VTT. Each lyric line becomes a cue starting at its timestamp and ending at the next line’s timestamp, so lyrics display like captions in any video player.
Why won’t my converted file load in my player or editor?
The top causes: the file extension doesn’t match the format inside (a VTT saved as .srt), or the encoding isn’t UTF-8. This tool always outputs UTF-8 with the correct structure for the chosen format. If a specific file still fails, tell us via the contact page — real-world subtitle files are wonderfully messy.
Are my subtitle files uploaded anywhere?
No. Parsing and conversion run entirely in your browser. Files never leave your device.