Translate SRT and VTT Subtitle Files

What You'll Create

In this tutorial, you will use VMAI's AI Subtitle Translator to turn a source SRT/VTT subtitle file into a translated subtitle file.

By the end, you will know how to:

• Upload an SRT or VTT subtitle file.
• Choose a target language.
• Configure formatting, content context, and glossary terms.
• Check translation progress.
• Download or edit the translated subtitle file.

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Note: Running a translation requires a signed-in account. You can view the page and select a file, but starting the translation requires an account and enough Credits.

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Before You Start

Requirements

• A VMAI account.
• A .srt or .vtt subtitle file.
• The target language you want to translate into.
• Optional: a short glossary of source terms and preferred translations.

Check Credits

Subtitle translation is currently calculated at 1 Credit per 10 subtitle entries, with a minimum of 1 Credit. Check the page's estimate before starting the translation.

English content should use Credit(s) for this unit. Korean content uses 이용권.

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Step 1: Open Subtitle Translator

Open the public AI Subtitle Translator page.

The screen has two main areas.

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Tip: If this is your first time, test with a short sample subtitle file. Fewer entries make the result easier to review.

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Step 2: Upload an SRT or VTT File

Click the upload area or drag your subtitle file into it. The current UI accepts .srt and .vtt files.

After upload, the page shows the filename and subtitle count. That count is also used for the Credit estimate.

Signed-in users can also browse subtitle files from the media library. Use that option when the file is already stored in VMAI.

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Step 3: Choose a Target Language

After the file loads, the Target Language dropdown appears. Choose the language you want for the translated subtitle file.

The current UI includes options such as English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Arabic, and Hindi.

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Note: VMAI blog and learning content currently publish in en and ko. The subtitle translator's target-language list is separate from the site's content-language list.

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Step 4: Improve Quality with Advanced Settings

Open Advanced Settings to tune three quality controls.

Preserve Original Formatting

This is enabled by default. Keep it on when the source subtitles use simple formatting such as bold or italic text that should survive translation.

Add Content Context

Describe the content briefly: cooking show, gaming commentary, product demo, course lesson, and so on. Context helps the translation choose wording that fits the video.

Example:

text
Subtitle production tutorial for beginner creators

Add Glossary Terms

If certain terms must be translated in a specific way, add them to the glossary.

The more specialized your video is, the more useful a glossary becomes.

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Step 5: Start Translation

Review the file and settings, then click Translate.

During processing, the page shows progress. Translation time can vary based on subtitle count and service load.

If you do not have enough Credits, the translation cannot start. Check your available Credits and the estimated total, then top up or change plans if needed.

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Step 6: Review and Download the Result

When translation is complete, the result panel shows the completed status.

You can then:

• Download the translated subtitle file.
• Edit the current result.
• Start a new translation.
• View translation history when signed in.
• Re-download or edit completed history items when available.

The downloaded filename adds the target language code to the original name. For example, translating intro.srt into English creates a filename like intro_en.srt.

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Review Checklist

Before publishing, check these items:

• Do numbers, dates, and prices still match the source?
• Are brand and product names translated the way you intended?
• Are any lines too long for the screen?
• Does the tone match the video?
• Do specialized terms match your glossary?
• When applied to the video, does the timing still feel natural?

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Tip: A translation can be accurate and still be hard to read as a subtitle. Shorten long lines when needed, and make sure adjacent captions flow naturally.

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Troubleshooting

I see “Only SRT or VTT files are supported”

Check that the file extension is .srt or .vtt. This tool does not directly translate document files or video files.

The Translate button is disabled

Check whether you are signed in and have enough Credits. Starting a subtitle translation is available only to authenticated users.

Technical terms are translated differently than expected

Use content context and glossary entries in Advanced Settings. Product names, course terms, and brand phrases are safest when specified in a glossary.

I want to download the result later

Signed-in users can view recent translations in the history panel. Because result files may expire, download important subtitles and keep a copy with your project assets.

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Next Steps

After translation, continue with the next tool in your workflow.

Keeping subtitle files separate makes it much easier to expand the same video into multiple languages.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use SRT or VTT?

Both are supported. Choose the format required by your editor or publishing channel. VTT is common for web players; SRT is often convenient for broad editing and upload compatibility.

Does translation change timecodes?

The workflow is designed around preserving the original subtitle timing. Still, translated lines can become longer, so always review readability with the video.

Can I publish the translation immediately?

It is better to review it first. Treat AI translation as a fast draft, then check numbers, names, terminology, and tone before publishing.