The subtitles are a great way of watching movies in a foreign language, but in several situations, you would need to extract or remove these subtitles from your MKV videos. For instance, if you are fond of watching movies with a clear screen, getting a clean video at times can be a task, and here the need to remove the subtitle SRT files arises. Some of the other possible reasons for removing the subtitles are synchronization issues, changing the subtitle language, using the extracted subtitles in other high-quality videos, incompatible codec issues, and more.
MKV is a popularly used multimedia format that is capable of containing multiple metadata including videos, audio, chapters, subtitles, and more. So, if you too have downloaded an MKV video having subtitles online or ripped it from a DVD. This article will help you to know the 2 actionable ways for extracting the subtitles. So, keep reading to learn about srt extractor tools.
In this article
Part 1: Not All Subtitles for MKV files Can Be Extracted (Hardsub Vs. Softsub)
As we have mentioned that there are tools and programs available that can help you remove the subtitle srt files, but here one thing needs to be remembered not all types of subtitle files can be extracted from the MKV videos. The reason for this lies in the type of subtitles used in the videos. So, first, let's learn about subtitle types and their differences.
There are two major types of forms of subtitles- hardsubs (also known as hardcoded subtitles or open subtitles) or softsubs (also known as closed subtitles or softcoded subtitles).
Hardsubs are the subtitles that are burned in the image of the videos and thus cannot be extracted, removed, hidden, or disabled when the video files are played.
Softsubs are the subtitles that are added as external files to the video container as an independent stream and thus can be turned off, removed, or extracted.
So, what we guide here is for ripping softsubs from videos in MKV videos. Now, let's dive into the details.
Part 2. 2 Actionable ways for extracting subtitles from MKV videos
There are two different ways by which subtitles can be extracted from MKV files.
Solution 1: Extract Subtitles from MKV Videos Online Extractors
If you are looking for a quick and simple solution for subtitle removal, online tools work as an apt choice. There are several browser-based programs available that works directly from your browser, are simple to use, and need no software download or installation. Below listed are popularly used 3 tools in the category.
This is a widely used online tool that allows extracting subtitle srt files from an array of video files including MKV, MP4, FLV, MOV, and others.
Key Feature
- Free to use online tool for srt extract.
- Support to a wide range of video formats including MKV, MP$, 3GP, FLV, and others.
- Support to a wide range of video languages.
- Allows extracting subtitles from a local video or using a video link.
Best for: This online tool is best when you wish to extract subtitles not only from your local files but also from videos on video sites like YouTube and others. Using the tool, you can also add captions to YouTube, Facebook, and other sites.
This is a multitasking online tool that allows you to convert, edit, download, as well as extract subtitles.
Key features
- Allows downloading subtitles from local as well as online sites like YouTube, Facebook, DailyMotion, and more.
- Simple and user-friendly interface.
- Free to use browser-based program.
Best for- When you want to extract and download subtitles from YouTube, Facebook, and other online sites in a simple manner, Savesubs works as the best tool.
Relied by all, Veed is a feature-packed tool for performing an array of video-related tasks including subtitle extraction.
Key features
- Free to use online tools for a variety of video tasks.
- Allows extracting and downloading subtitles from videos in an array of formats.
- Online videos from popular sites can be added.
- Allows to work manually or through auto-generated subtitles.
- Option to edit the subtitles if needed.
Best for: Veed is an apt tool for users who want subtitles in an array of formats.
Steps for extracting subtitles
Above we have listed 3 online tools and the steps for extracting subtitles using them are more or less the same. To run you through the general process and steps, below we have listed the steps using Savesubs.
Steps to extract subtitles using Savesubs
Step1On your system browser and vist Savesubs.
Step2Next, add the video URL or enter any keyword related to the video for which you wish to extract the subtitles. Alternatively, you can also add local files by clicking on the
Select Files button. Click on the Download button.
Step3Tap on the Click here to extract button for the tool to start extracting the subtitles.
Solution 2: Rip Subtitles from MKV Video with Extractor Software
Though online tools are simple to use, they are dependent on internet connectivity and have limited additional features. So, if you want to extract SRT subtitles even when there is no network and with added functions, desktop software works as the best choice.
With a wide range of these extractor software available, selecting one can be a daunting task and to help you with this, we have shortlisted a few popular and reliable programs as below.
Popular among users across the globe, this free desktop software is known as “de-factor open source for closed captions”.
Key features of the software
- Allows extracting subtitles from a wide range of media files.
- Support to multiple formats including MKV, MP4, MPEG, and more.
- Free to use software with a user-friendly interface.
- Compatible with Windows, Linux, and OSX platforms.
Best for: If you are looking for a free and open-source tool that can work on multiple platforms, CCExtractor is an apt choice.
For Windows and Mac users, VideoProc works as a great tool to extract subtitles from videos in MKV, MP4, VOB, AVI, and other formats.
Key features of the software
- Multi-tasking desktop software supporting subtitle extraction as well.
- Allows extracting subtitles from videos in an array of formats including MKV, AVI, MP4, and more.
- Multiple video editing options are supported like cutting, cropping, rotating, merging, and more.
- Also allows searching and adding subtitles files.
Best for: If you are looking for a tool that not only lets you extract the subtitles but also performs other video editing functions, VideoProc will work great.
This is a free and open-source tool known for editing text-based subtitles. The most popular subtitle formats can be used. Preview of the subtitles in real-time or in design time, spell checking, translation mode and styles editing are some of the main features.
Key Features of the software
- Free and open-source tool under GNU public license.
- Allows editing text-based subtitles by converting, correcting, transforming, and converting.
- New subtitles can also be added using the software.
- Support to preview the subtitles in the design-time or real-time.
- Support additional features like style editing, spell-check, translation mode, and more.
Best for: The tool is apt for users who need a free tool that can work on Windows as well as Mac systems.
How to extract subtitles using extractor software?
The main key steps for extracting the subtitles using desktop software may differ from tool to tool. Below listed are the steps using CCExtractor for your reference.
Steps to extract subtitles using CCExtractor
Step1Download and install the software on your system.
Step2Next, run CCExtractorGUI.exe and drag the video file to the program under the Input file tab.
Step3Next at the Output (1) tab choose output type as .srt and at the Output (2) tab select UTF-8 Encoding.
Step4Tap on the Execution tab bar and then click on the Start button. The program will start processing and the subtitle SRT file will be generated and will appear with the source video in the same folder.
Pro Tips: How do I Edit embedded SRT subtitles in MKV?
Above we have talked about the ways by which subtitles can be extracted from MKV files. But if you need to edit the embedded SRT subtitles in your MKV videos, professional software would be needed and here we recommend Wondershare Filmora as the best choice.
Wondershare Filmora is a versatile Windows and Mac-based video editing tool that supports a wide range of editing functions like visual effects, transitions, PIP, green screen, split screen, AI portrait, auto reframe, and screen recorder, masking, and many more.
The software supports multiple subtitles-related functions like editing embedded SRT files, speech-to-text, and text to speech.
Steps to edit embedded SRT subtitles in MKV files using Wondershare Filmora
Step1Download, install, and launch the software on your system. In the Media Resources area import the SRT subtitles files.
Step2Next, right-click on the timeline and then choose Advanced Edit or double-click on the selected SRT file to clip.
Step3In the next step, multiple subtitle editing tasks can be done like – editing time code, changing the subtitles, add/remove/merge subtitle strips, and changing subtitle styles.
Step4Finally, choose the SRT file at the timeline and then right-click and choose Export Subtitle File.
Above are the brief steps for editing the subtitles. You can check the detailed steps at this link here.
Hot FAQs on Extracting SRT from MKV
Below listed are some commonly asked questions and their answers.
1. Except for SRT, what types of subtitle formats does MKV support?
The subtitle formats supported by the MKV file include SRT, PGS/SUP, VobSub, and SSA.
2. Can VLC extract subtitles?
Though VLC is a media player, it supports an array of additional features as well including subtitle extraction. Using the software, you can also add subtitles to the video.
3. How can I extract hardcoded subtitles from a video?
The only solution for extracting hardcoded subtitles from a video is by using the Optical Character Recognition (OTR) technology.
Final Words
We hope, we have answered all your queries and doubts related to subtitle extraction in the article above. The choice of choosing an online tool or a desktop software depends on your requirements and the subtitle file. For editing the subtitles, you can rely on Wondershare Filmora which is an excellent all-in-one video editing tool.
