Need to download subtitles from a video? The right tool depends on where the video is. Here's the complete guide organized by platform.
Download YouTube Subtitles (Free, 10 Seconds)
Fastest method:
1. Go to vidtextai.com/tools/transcript
2. Paste the YouTube URL
3. Get the full subtitle text with timestamps instantly
For a proper .SRT file from a video you own, use YouTube Studio → Subtitles → Download.
For any public YouTube video's .SRT file via command line:
`
yt-dlp --write-auto-subs --skip-download --sub-lang en --convert-subs srt "VIDEO_URL"
`
See the full guide: How to Download Subtitles from YouTube
Download Subtitles from a Local Video File
If you have a video file (MP4, MKV, AVI) with embedded subtitles:
Using FFmpeg (free, command line):
`bash
# List subtitle tracks in the file
ffprobe -v quiet -print_format json -show_streams video.mkv | grep codec_name
# Extract subtitle track 0 as .SRT
ffmpeg -i video.mkv -map 0:s:0 subtitles.srt
`
Using MKVToolNix (free GUI, for .MKV files):
1. Download MKVToolNix
2. Open the MKV file → go to Header Editor
3. Select the subtitle track → Extract
Many downloaded MKV files include multiple subtitle tracks (English, Spanish, French) embedded in the container — FFmpeg and MKVToolNix can extract them without re-encoding.
Download Subtitles from Vimeo
For Vimeo videos with captions:
Using yt-dlp:
`
yt-dlp --write-subs --skip-download "https://vimeo.com/VIDEO_ID"
`
If the video owner has enabled captions, yt-dlp downloads the available subtitle files.
Download Subtitles from Netflix (For Personal Accessibility Use)
Netflix subtitle files cannot be downloaded through standard means — Netflix uses DRM-protected content and does not offer subtitle file exports.
For personal accessibility use, you can use browser extensions that display Netflix subtitles in a separate panel, but these don't produce downloadable files.
Note: Distributing Netflix subtitle files is a copyright violation regardless of method.
Find Subtitles for a Video That Has None
If your video has no subtitles and you need to find or create them:
Option 1 — Generate with Whisper (local video files):
`
whisper video.mp4 --model medium --output_format srt
`
Option 2 — Search subtitle databases:
- OpenSubtitles.org — largest subtitle database, 5M+ files
- Subscene.com — community-uploaded subtitles
- Podnapisi.net — European language focus
Search by movie/show name. Download the .SRT file and place it in the same folder as your video file with the same filename (e.g., movie.mp4 + movie.srt) — most players (VLC, Plex) will auto-load it.
Subtitle Format Quick Reference
| Format | Works With |
|---|---|
| .srt | VLC, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, YouTube |
| .vtt | Web browsers, YouTube, HTML5 video |
| .ass / .ssa | Styled subtitles (common for anime), VLC |
| .sub | Older format, VLC, some players |