To upload an existing, timed SRT subtitle file, open YouTube Studio, go to Subtitles, select the video and language, then choose the upload-file option and save. If you have only transcript text without timestamps, use YouTube’s Auto-sync or manual captioning workflow instead.
Upload a timed SRT file 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 (the capitalization may vary by interface language).
- Choose the upload-file option. For an SRT that already includes timestamps, select the option indicating that the file is with timing.
- Choose the SRT file and follow the on-screen prompts to save it.
YouTube also provides a way to add subtitles during the video upload process. The labels may vary slightly across localized versions of Studio, so follow the current on-screen wording.
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Check that your SRT file is in the supported format
YouTube supports basic SubRip (.srt) files. Its help guidance specifies plain UTF-8 text; SRT style information is not recognized, so formatting such as styling in the file will not carry over as intended.
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A basic SRT cue has a sequential number, a start and end time, an arrow between the timestamps, and the caption text on the next line or lines. For example:
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00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,500
Welcome to the video.This is an illustrative example of the basic shape, not a complete list of format requirements. YouTube’s supported-formats guidance describes other subtitle formats with different feature support; do not assume they work identically in every editor or workflow.
If you have a transcript but no timestamps
A transcript is not the same as a timed SRT. If your text has no cue timings, select YouTube’s Auto-sync workflow rather than uploading it as a file with timing. You provide the transcript and YouTube synchronizes it with the video. The transcript must match the spoken language and be in a language supported by YouTube’s speech recognition technology.
YouTube cautions that Auto-sync is not recommended for videos longer than an hour or videos with poor audio quality. Its guidance says timing can take a few minutes and that the transcript is automatically published once ready; that applies to Auto-sync, not to uploading a timed SRT.
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You can also type or paste captions manually while playing the video. This is an alternative when you do not have a timed caption file, not a required step for importing an SRT.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose the right subtitle workflow
| Method | What you start with | Who supplies the timing | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upload file | A timed SRT | The timestamps are already in the file | You have a finished SRT ready to attach |
| Auto-sync | Transcript text or a transcript file | YouTube synchronizes the text to the video | The transcript matches the spoken language and the audio is suitable |
| Type manually | The video and caption text | You enter captions while working through the video | You have no prepared timed file or need to make small edits |
Set the subtitle and video languages deliberately
When adding subtitles, select the language that matches the captions. YouTube says the video’s original-language setting helps YouTube and contributors understand the video and helps viewers find videos in their language. If someone else is handling captions as a Subtitle Editor collaborator, YouTube says the video language must be set for that collaborator to add or edit subtitles.
Troubleshoot an SRT that will not upload or display correctly
- Check the file type and encoding: confirm it is an .srt file saved as plain UTF-8.
- Remove style-dependent formatting: YouTube does not recognize SRT style information.
- Check cue structure: each cue should include a start time, an end time, and caption text, following the basic format in YouTube’s example.
- Confirm the video and language: make sure you selected the intended video and subtitle language in Studio before saving.
- Use the matching workflow: if the file is only an untimed transcript, choose Auto-sync or enter captions manually instead of treating it as a timed SRT.
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