Export guide
SRT vs burned-in captions: which should you export?
SRT is a separate text file containing subtitle text and timestamps. Burned-in captions are part of the video image itself. Use SRT when a player should control caption display; use a captioned MP4 when the words must always be visible.
The practical differences
| Question | SRT subtitle file | Burned-in MP4 |
|---|---|---|
| Can viewers turn captions off? | Yes, if the player supports the track. | No. The captions are part of the picture. |
| What controls the appearance? | The player usually controls presentation. | The exported video keeps the rendered style. |
| Can I correct the words later? | Edit or replace the subtitle file. | Edit the transcript and render a new video. |
| What do I upload? | The original video and a separate subtitle file. | One video file containing visible captions. |
Use burned-in captions for a consistent visual result
A captioned MP4 is convenient for short social clips: the text stays visible without asking viewers to enable a subtitle track. Your chosen size, placement and rendered styling travel with the video. Check the result at phone size and leave space for platform controls.
The trade-off is permanence. Viewers cannot hide or resize these captions independently, and correcting a word requires a new render. Burning text into a video also does not provide the player with a separate selectable subtitle track.
Use SRT or VTT for selectable subtitles
SRT works with many editing and publishing workflows. WebVTT is commonly used for text tracks in web video players. Both store text and timing separately from the video; support and presentation depend on the player or publishing platform. Check its accepted formats before uploading.
A separate track can let viewers toggle captions and, where supported, adjust how they appear. Keep an uncaptioned source video if you want to publish it with selectable subtitles rather than duplicate the burned-in words.
Where does ASS fit?
ASS subtitles can describe richer styling and positioning than a basic SRT file. They are useful in compatible rendering and editing tools. A platform accepting SRT does not necessarily accept ASS or reproduce its styling.
What CaptionLayer exports
CaptionLayer exports a burned-in captioned MP4 plus SRT, VTT and ASS subtitle files. Every minute pack includes these formats. Review the automatic transcript before publishing; exporting to a different format does not correct recognition errors.
For a reusable workflow, keep the source video, the captioned MP4 and a separate subtitle file. See how to add captions with CaptionLayer or check minute pack prices.
Open the caption studio