Create your own subtitles for memes, captions, and commentary, or import dialogue from Plex or Jellyfin. Text does not have to match the audio. Local videos and videos without subtitle tracks support the same authoring tools.
Add and edit text
Move the playhead to the desired moment and choose Add subtitle in the Subtitles panel or the + in the subtitle timeline header. Playback pauses, subtitle output becomes visible, and the new text is selected for editing.
New subtitles last two seconds, shortened when necessary to end at the next subtitle’s start or the end of the video. Resizing a subtitle does not change this default. You can place them anywhere in the source; Outside export range identifies a selected cue that will not appear in the current export.
Add subtitle is disabled when a subtitle already covers the playhead, even when subtitle output is hidden. Move to an empty time to add text. Creation stays exactly at the playhead and preserves all existing text and timing. For example, adding at 4 seconds with the next cue starting at 5 seconds creates a one-second subtitle from 4–5 seconds. At a cue’s exact end, creation is available unless another cue starts there. Undo removes the new cue and restores the previous visibility in one step.
Text previews update while you type. Leaving the field or pressing Ctrl/Command+Enter commits one text edit. Empty text restores the previous value; use Delete subtitle to remove a cue. Drag timeline edges or edit the In and Out fields to change timing.
Delete or start blank
Select a cue and choose Delete subtitle, or press Delete/Backspace while focus is outside text fields and other controls. Use Subtitle options → Start blank… to remove all cues after confirmation. Shared styling is preserved, and Undo restores deleted subtitles.
The panel switch and timeline eye control the same subtitle output state. Hidden subtitles remain editable but do not appear in preview, frame grabs, or exports.
Import dialogue
New sessions still import the preferred supported subtitle track automatically. Saved drafts, including empty drafts, take precedence.
Choose Import… to import or reimport a provider track. If subtitles already exist, confirm their replacement. Your current cues remain visible during the download. Import can be cancelled; a failed or cancelled import leaves your edits intact. Successful replacement can be undone.
You can import SRT/SubRip and WebVTT subtitles, plus other text formats that Plex or Jellyfin can convert for Cliparr. Image-based subtitles such as PGS or VobSub cannot be imported; you can still create your own captions.
Provider notes
Jellyfin can convert text subtitles such as ASS/SSA, TTML, and SMI for import.
For Plex, use SRT/SubRip or WebVTT when available. Some embedded text subtitles become available only after you select them during playback in Plex.
Changed in 3.0: ASS/SSA, TTML, and SMI tracks are available only when Plex can convert them for Cliparr. If a track no longer appears in Import…, choose an SRT/SubRip or WebVTT track, or create your own captions.
Plex: Adding Local Subtitles to Your Media
Styling
The Shared style section applies to all cues, including imported and original text. You can edit these settings while subtitle output is hidden:
- Font family.
- Font color and size.
- Shadow color, blur, and vertical offset.
- Stroke color and width.
- Horizontal and vertical position.
Style settings are saved in your browser. They apply to future exports from the same browser profile.
Local fonts
Cliparr includes a small set of common font options. Browsers that support local font access can also offer installed fonts after you grant permission. Local font availability depends on the browser, operating system, and site permissions.
Export behavior
Subtitle cues are trimmed to the selected clip range before export. Visible authored text is burned into the video without requiring a selected provider subtitle track. Hidden cues and cues outside the export range are excluded.
Export and frame capture wait while an import is pending. Once an import fails or is cancelled, the existing subtitles remain available for output. Preview, frame grabs, and export use the same subtitle text and shared style.