Understanding Subtitle Formats

When submitting subtitles to OpenSubtitles, there are a variety of formats we accept to ensure compatibility with a wide range of media players and platforms. 

However, when you download subtitles from OpenSubtitles.com, all subtitle files are automatically converted to SubRip (.srt) format by default for ease of use. 

The .srt format is the most widely supported by media players, but if you’re uploading, here are the different formats we accept:

The SubRip format is the most commonly used subtitle format, supported by nearly every media player. It uses timestamps to indicate when each line of dialogue should appear and disappear.

This format uses a frame-based system rather than timestamps. Subtitles are linked to frame numbers, making it ideal for media players that support frame-accurate subtitle syncing.

SubViewer is an older format that uses timestamps similar to SubRip but includes additional formatting for styles and fonts.

The SSA format supports rich text styling, including different fonts, sizes, and colors, making it a preferred choice for anime and media that require stylistic captions.

SAMI (Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange) format is widely used for closed captions, especially in Windows Media Player. It allows for the display of text with timestamps and supports multiple languages.

A frame-based subtitle format similar to MicroDVD, often used in older media players like MPlayer2. It references frame numbers to sync subtitles.

Another simple format, TMPlayer uses timestamps to show when each subtitle line should appear, but the format is typically very straightforward with minimal styling or metadata.