How to open a .vtt file
WebVTT subtitles · Subtitles
A .vtt file is a subtitle track stored as plain text. Any text editor opens it to read, and VLC loads it alongside a video to display the subtitles properly.
What a .vtt file actually is
WebVTT is the subtitle standard for HTML5 video. The file begins with the word WEBVTT and then lists timestamps and the text to show, which makes it entirely readable without software.
It also carries positioning and styling, which is why it replaced the older SRT format on the web.
Why it will not open
Nothing is associated with .vtt on Windows or macOS, and on its own a subtitle file has nothing to display. It only makes sense next to the video it belongs to.
Step by step
Windows
- 01To read the text: right-click, choose "Open with", then Notepad. Timestamps and lines are immediately legible.
- 02To watch with subtitles: put the .vtt in the same folder as the video and give it the same base name. VLC then loads it automatically.
- 03If it does not appear, open the video in VLC and use Subtitle, then Add Subtitle File.
- 04To convert to SRT, most subtitle editors export it. The formats are close, the main difference being the WEBVTT header and the decimal separator in timestamps.
macOS
- 01TextEdit reads it as text with Format set to Plain Text.
- 02VLC and IINA both load .vtt alongside a video.
What usually goes wrong
Naming decides automatic loading
Players match subtitles by filename. movie.mp4 pairs with movie.vtt in the same folder. If the names differ at all, you have to add the track manually.
Programs that open .vtt
Our pick, in order. Every one links to the publisher's official download URL and the SHA-256 hash of the installer, so you can check the file before you run it.
- VLC media playerVLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files, and various streaming protocols.v3.0.23 · 9 hashed installers96
- MPC-HCMPC-HC is an extremely light-weight, open source media player for Windows. It supports all common video and audio file formats available for playback.v2.7.4 · 2 hashed installers100
- Sublime Text 4Sublime is a sophisticated cross-platform text editor for code, markup and prose.v4.0.0.420000 · 2 hashed installers92
Common questions
- How do I play a video with a .vtt subtitle file?
- Put the .vtt in the same folder as the video with the same base name and open it in VLC, which loads it automatically. Otherwise use Subtitle, then Add Subtitle File.
- What is the difference between VTT and SRT?
- Both are plain-text subtitle formats with timestamps. WebVTT is the HTML5 standard, starts with a WEBVTT header, uses a full stop in timestamps and supports positioning and styling. SRT is older, simpler and more widely supported by desktop players.