Free tool
SBV to VTT Converter
Convert a YouTube .sbv caption file to VTT — the format desktop players and editors expect — with the timing preserved exactly. Runs in your browser.
100% in your browser — your files never leave your device.
How to convert SBV to VTT
- Step 1
Add your captions
Paste your SBV content into the box, or upload the .sbv file you exported from YouTube Studio.
- Step 2
Convert to VTT
Click Convert — cue numbers are added and the timing is preserved, giving you a clean VTT.
- Step 3
Copy or download
Copy the result or download your .vtt file.
Example: SBV → VTT
Here's the same cues before and after conversion, so you know exactly what you'll get.
0:00:01.000,0:00:03.500 Hello — welcome to the show. 0:00:04.000,0:00:06.200 Today we have a special guest.
WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:03.500 Hello — welcome to the show. 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:06.200 Today we have a special guest.
The formats explained
What is SBV? (SubViewer / YouTube)
The caption format YouTube Studio exports and imports. Plain text with H:MM:SS.mmm timecodes separated by a comma and no cue numbers — simple, but not read by most desktop players or editors, which expect SRT.
What is VTT? (WebVTT)
The W3C subtitle format required by HTML5 video and most web players. Like SRT but with a WEBVTT header and dot-separated milliseconds, plus optional styling and positioning cues.
Why convert SBV to VTT?
- You downloaded captions from YouTube Studio as .sbv, but most desktop players, editors and upload forms expect VTT.
- VTT is far more widely supported than SBV — converting lets you open the captions in VLC, Premiere, subtitle editors and more.
- The comma-separated SBV timecodes are parsed and re-emitted exactly, so nothing drifts out of sync.
FAQ
How do I convert SBV to VTT?
Paste or upload your .sbv file and click Convert to VTT. SubtitleFlow reads the SBV cues and gives you a clean VTT with the original timing.
Where does an SBV file come from?
SBV is what YouTube Studio exports when you download a video's captions — it's YouTube's native caption format.
Will the timing stay in sync?
Yes. The timecodes are parsed and re-emitted exactly — only the file format changes.
Are my files uploaded?
No — everything runs locally in your browser.
Need to translate your subtitles too?
Converting is free here. When you need to translate subtitles into another language with the timeline kept perfectly aligned, that's what SubtitleFlow does.
Translate subtitles free