SRT Subtitle Translator: Translate Without Changing Timestamps
Upload your SRT or VTT file, translate the text manually or paste a bulk translation, and download the file with perfect timings. Your video data stays on your device. No upload, no sign-up.
- No upload
- Timestamp safe
- Bulk paste mode
- SRT & VTT support
Source File & Bulk Tools
Drop an SRT or VTT file
Client-side secure parsing with zero server uploads.
How do I translate SRT subtitles without losing timing?
Drop your SRT or VTT file into the tool. The tool parses the text and timestamps locally. Use the side-by-side editor to translate each line, or paste your finished translation block. When you download, the tool rebuilds the file with your new text and the original timestamps intact.
- Price
- Free, no account, no watermark
- Upload required?
- No, the subtitle file is processed locally
- Input formats
- SRT and VTT (WebVTT) files
- Output
- SRT or VTT with original timestamps preserved
- Translation method
- Manual side-by-side editing or bulk paste
- Privacy
- 100% private. Your subtitle files never leave your device
- Max file size
- No hard limit, but files under 5 MB perform best
- Works on
- Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac
How to translate subtitles in 3 steps
- 1
Upload your subtitle file
Drop an SRT or VTT file into the tool. The file is parsed instantly in your browser, and every timestamp is preserved exactly as written.
- 2
Edit or paste translations
Use the side-by-side editor to translate each line manually, or paste your translated text block to apply it instantly without losing the timings.
- 3
Download the translated file
Export the file back to SRT or VTT format. The structure remains 100% intact so it works perfectly with any video player or editing software.
Who uses the Subtitle Translator?
From YouTubers to film studios, translating subtitles is essential for reaching a global audience. Here is how people use this tool.
| Use case | What you can do | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Video subtitles | Translate foreign films and YouTube videos | Keep timeline sync perfect |
| Corporate training | Translate onboarding and safety videos for global teams | Preserve exact timing |
| Course lectures | Localize online courses for international students | Export as SRT |
| Interviews | Translate transcribed interviews for research | Keep speaker timestamps |
| Podcasts | Create multilingual transcripts for audio shows | Paste translated text in bulk |
| Short films | Add accurate translated captions for film festivals | Edit line by line |
Translation not working? Try these fixes
The file format is not recognised
The tool accepts standard SRT (.srt) and WebVTT (.vtt) files. Make sure the file ends with one of these extensions. If it fails, open the file in a text editor and re-save it as UTF-8.
Timestamps changed after saving
This should never happen. The tool extracts the timestamps as plain text and re-inserts them exactly as they were. If you see changes, ensure you are downloading the correct exported file.
I cannot paste text in bulk
The bulk paste feature expects one translated line per original line. Make sure your translated text has exactly the same number of line breaks as the original subtitle file.
The editor is slow on mobile
Very long subtitle files (over 1000 lines) can be heavy. Use a desktop browser for large files, or split the subtitle file into smaller chunks.
Characters look garbled
SRT files are usually UTF-8. If you see strange symbols, make sure your original file is saved in UTF-8 encoding before uploading.
The video player does not show the subtitles
Check that the downloaded file ends in .srt and is named exactly the same as your video file (e.g., movie.mp4 and movie.srt). Some players require this.
ToolDeck vs other subtitle translators
Many subtitle tools upload your video files to a server to run AI translation. ToolDeck keeps your data local and focuses on giving you full control over the final text.
| Feature | TToolDeck | Upload-based tools |
|---|---|---|
| Free with no account | Yes | Free tier, account often required |
| No file upload to a server | Yes | No |
| Preserves exact timestamps | Yes | Varies by tool |
| Side-by-side editing | Yes | Usually separate pages |
| Bulk paste translation | Yes | No |
| Works offline after page load | Yes | No |
| Mobile friendly UI | Yes | Varies |
| Automatic AI translation | No | Often paid or limited |
Competitor features vary by provider and plan. Based on commonly available behaviour; verify each tool before relying on it for official work.
What you get for free
Timestamp Safe
We never touch the timings. Your SRT/VTT files are parsed and rebuilt with the exact same timecodes, so your video sync stays perfect.
Side-by-Side Editor
See the original text and your translation next to each other. Makes manual translation fast and accurate without losing your place.
Bulk Paste Mode
Already translated the text in ChatGPT or DeepL? Just paste the full translated block and the tool will map it to the correct timestamps.
100% Private
Your subtitle files contain sensitive video content. We process them entirely in your browser. No servers, no logs, no leaks.
SRT & VTT Support
Reads and writes both SRT and WebVTT formats. The export will automatically match the format you uploaded.
No Signup Required
Open the page and start working immediately. There is no paywall, no watermark, and no account to remember.
Tips for perfect subtitles
Keep the original file
Always keep a backup of the original SRT file before translating. If a bulk paste goes wrong, you can start over without re-uploading.
Watch the line breaks
SRT relies on line breaks for text wrapping. When translating, try to keep the line lengths similar to the original to avoid text overflowing on screen.
Test with your video
After translating, load the file into your video player to ensure the translated text fits within the timestamps. Long sentences in German or Arabic may require split timings.
Check character encoding
SRT files are plain text. If you use special characters, ensure your final export is saved as UTF-8.
SRT Translator FAQ
Quick answers about timestamps, formats, privacy, and bulk editing.
How do I translate an SRT file for free?
Open this page, drop your SRT or VTT file, and use the side-by-side editor to translate each line. You can also paste a fully translated block. Once done, click Download to save the file with original timestamps.
Is my subtitle file uploaded to a server?
No. We parse and rebuild the SRT file entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your video content and subtitles never leave your device. You can confirm this in the Network tab of your browser.
Will the timestamps change?
No. The tool extracts the timestamps as plain text and does not modify them. Your translated subtitles will sync perfectly with the original video.
Can I translate VTT files?
Yes. The tool supports both SRT and WebVTT formats. It will detect the format and export in the same format you uploaded.
Does this tool do automatic AI translation?
No. To keep the tool 100% free and private, it does not use a paid AI backend. You can translate manually in the editor, or use ChatGPT/DeepL and paste the text in bulk.
What is the best way to use bulk paste?
Translate your text elsewhere. Make sure the translated text has exactly one line per subtitle cue. Copy all the translated text and paste it into the "Paste Translated Text" box. The tool will map each line to the correct timestamp.
Can I translate SRT files on my phone?
Yes, the interface is responsive and works on mobile browsers. However, for very long files with hundreds of lines, using a desktop or laptop is recommended for easier editing.
What if my file has HTML tags like <i> or <b>?
The parser extracts the text for translation. We recommend keeping the HTML tags in your translation so the formatting remains intact in the exported file.
Does it work offline?
Yes. Once the page has loaded, all parsing and editing run locally. You do not need an internet connection to translate or export the file.
Why does the tool say "Invalid Format"?
The tool expects a standard SRT or VTT file. If your file is an ASS, SSA, or SUB file, it will not work. You can convert those to SRT using a subtitle editor first.
Can I translate multiple SRT files at once?
The tool currently processes one file at a time to keep the interface clean and fast. You can translate a file, download it, and then load the next one.
What encoding does the SRT file need?
SRT files should be saved in UTF-8 encoding. If you have special characters or non-Latin scripts, UTF-8 ensures they display correctly in the video player.
Will the subtitle line lengths be the same?
The tool preserves your line breaks exactly as you type them. We recommend keeping the translated line length similar to the original to ensure it fits on the screen.
Can I use this for YouTube videos?
Yes. After translating, download the SRT file and upload it to YouTube Studio as a subtitle track. The timestamps will sync with the video.
Does it support right-to-left languages like Arabic or Urdu?
Yes. The editor supports RTL text. The exported SRT file will preserve the RTL characters if saved in UTF-8.
What is the maximum file size?
There is no hard limit, but a file over 5 MB might be slow to process on older phones. Standard subtitle files are usually a few kilobytes.
Can I edit the timestamps?
This specific tool is for translating text without changing timings. If you need to adjust sync or timings, use a dedicated SRT Editor tool.
Does it remove speaker labels?
No, the tool preserves all text, including speaker labels (e.g., "JOHN:"). You can translate these labels or leave them as is.
Why is my text not pasting correctly?
Bulk paste requires the exact number of lines as the subtitle cues. If the original has 100 cues and your pasted text has 99 lines, the mapping will fail. Ensure your translated text has the same line break structure.
Is this tool safe for confidential videos?
Yes. Because everything runs in your browser, no data is sent to a server. It is safe for internal training videos and confidential media.
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Your files stay on your device
There is no upload step and no account. Subtitle parsing, editing, and exporting all run inside your browser. The result exists only as a temporary link until you close the tab. Read how we keep it private.