Project Settings
Subtitle Editor
Use milliseconds internally. Display formatting follows project settings.
| # | Start | End | Duration | Subtitle text | Speaker | Notes | CPS | Status | Actions |
|---|
Bulk Subtitle Generator
Timing Adjustment Tools
Timecode Calculator
Import and Export
How Subtitle Timecodes Work
Subtitle timecodes tell a player exactly when each caption appears and disappears. Accurate timing keeps dialogue readable without covering the screen too long. Most subtitle workflows use hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds. SRT files separate milliseconds with commas, while WebVTT usually uses periods. Professional video workflows may also display frames. A frame-based display depends on the selected frame rate. That makes frame rate selection important before editing starts.
Creating Readable Subtitle Timing
Good subtitles balance timing, text length, and reading speed. Characters per second provide a simple readability measurement. A lower CPS gives viewers more reading time. Short captions should still remain visible long enough to register. Very long captions often need splitting into smaller blocks. This generator can estimate duration from text length, then enforce minimum and maximum limits. It can also flag overlaps, negative durations, excessive reading speed, long lines, and excessive line counts. These warnings help catch common subtitle problems before export.
Adjusting and Exporting Captions
Timing changes are common after video edits. A global shift moves every subtitle forward or backward. Stretching changes the entire timeline proportionally when playback speed changes. Offset-from-point controls are useful when only later subtitles need adjustment. Normalization can rebuild gaps and prevent accidental overlaps. After timing is ready, export the project in a format supported by your editing or publishing platform. SRT works with many players and video services. WebVTT is common for web video. CSV and JSON are useful for review, editing, or data processing. PDF reports provide a convenient human-readable timing record for clients, editors, or quality-control teams.
Checking Frame-Based Projects
Frame-based projects need extra care because frame counts depend on playback rate. A caption aligned at 25 FPS may not match the same frame number at 30 FPS. Drop-frame notation is also different from ordinary frame counting. Always confirm the source frame rate before final delivery. A consistent project setting prevents drift and avoids confusing editor handoffs.
Common Subtitle Timing Reference
| Use case | Typical CPS target | Typical duration | Recommended line length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conversation | 15–18 CPS | 1.0–5.0 seconds | Up to 42 characters |
| Interview | 14–17 CPS | 1.2–6.0 seconds | Up to 42 characters |
| Documentary | 14–17 CPS | 1.5–6.5 seconds | Up to 42 characters |
| Educational video | 12–16 CPS | 1.5–7.0 seconds | Up to 45 characters |
| Social media clip | 16–20 CPS | 0.8–4.0 seconds | Up to 36 characters |
Frequently Asked Questions
What timecode format does SRT use?
SRT normally uses HH:MM:SS,mmm, with a comma before milliseconds.
What timecode format does WebVTT use?
WebVTT commonly uses HH:MM:SS.mmm, with a period before milliseconds.
What is CPS in subtitling?
CPS means characters per second. It estimates how quickly viewers must read a subtitle.
Can I shift all subtitle timings?
Yes. Use the forward or backward shift controls to move every subtitle by milliseconds.
Can this tool import existing subtitles?
Yes. It supports SRT, WebVTT, CSV, TSV, and plain-text imports.
Why do subtitle overlaps matter?
Overlaps can create display conflicts, especially when a player expects one subtitle at a time.
What is drop-frame timecode?
Drop-frame notation compensates timecode numbering for fractional frame rates such as 29.97 FPS.
Can I download a PDF report?
Yes. The PDF export creates a subtitle timing report containing settings, statistics, and subtitle rows.