To upload an SRT subtitle file that already includes timestamps, open YouTube Studio, select Subtitles, choose your video and subtitle language, then use the upload-file option under Subtitles and save. YouTube supports basic .srt files in plain UTF-8; styling in an SRT file is not recognized.
Upload a timed SRT in YouTube Studio
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Subtitles, then choose the video you want to caption.
- Select Add language and choose the language spoken in the subtitles.
- Under Subtitles, select Add. Choose the upload-file option, then select the SRT file that already contains timing.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to select the file and save it.
YouTube documents slightly different capitalization in its help materials, such as “Add” and “ADD.” Follow the labels currently displayed in your Studio account. You can also add subtitles during the video-upload process.
Check the SRT file format
YouTube supports SubRip (.srt) as a basic subtitle format. Its guidance specifies plain UTF-8 and says it will not recognize style information in SRT files. For example, formatting such as font, color, or positioning should not be expected to carry through.
A basic SRT cue has a sequential number, a start and end timestamp, and the caption text. YouTube’s example uses timestamps in HH:MM:SS,mmm format with an arrow between them. This schematic is illustrative:
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Welcome to the video.If you need styling or positioning, consult YouTube’s documentation on supported subtitle and caption formats. Different formats may offer different features and should not be assumed to work interchangeably in every editor or workflow.
Choose the right method for your starting file
| Method | What you have | Who supplies the timing | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upload file | A timed SRT | Timing is already in the file | You have a finished subtitle file ready to attach. |
| Auto-sync | Transcript text or a transcript file without timestamps | YouTube synchronizes the transcript with the video | The transcript matches the spoken language and the audio is suitable for recognition. |
| Type manually | The video and text to enter while it plays | You enter captions as you work through the video | You have no prepared timed file or only need to make a small set of captions. |
YouTube’s caption instructions describe all three routes. Do not upload an untimed transcript using the timed-SRT route and expect it to be synchronized automatically.
Use Auto-sync for an untimed transcript
If you have a transcript but no timestamps, choose the transcript or Auto-sync route in the subtitle workflow rather than uploading it as a timed SRT. YouTube says the transcript must be in a language supported by its speech recognition technology and must match the language spoken in the video. Its guidance does not recommend this route for videos longer than an hour or videos with poor audio quality.
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YouTube says synchronization can take a few minutes and that the transcript is automatically published once ready. That guidance applies to Auto-sync, not to uploading a timed SRT. You can also type or paste captions manually while playing the video.
Set the subtitle language deliberately
Choose the language that the subtitles represent. YouTube says the original video-language setting helps YouTube and contributors understand the video and helps viewers find videos in their language. If someone else is helping with subtitles through Subtitle Editor, YouTube says the video language must be set for collaborators to add or edit subtitles. See YouTube’s video-language guidance.
Troubleshoot an SRT that will not upload or display correctly
- Check the file type and encoding: confirm it is an
.srtfile saved as plain UTF-8. - Remove styling assumptions: YouTube does not recognize SRT style information, so remove markup or formatting that depends on appearance being preserved.
- Inspect the cue structure: check that each caption has a start time, end time, timestamp arrow, and caption text, following the basic format above.
- Verify the selection: make sure you opened the intended video and selected the correct subtitle language before saving.
- Distinguish transcript from timed captions: if the file contains transcript text but no timestamps, use Auto-sync or manual entry instead of the timed-SRT upload option.
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