Subtitles enhance movie-watching in foreign languages, but sometimes, you may need to extract or remove them from MKV videos. Reasons for this include desiring a transparent screen, resolving synchronization issues, changing subtitle languages, or using subtitles in other high-quality videos due to codec incompatibilities. MKV, a versatile multimedia format, holds multiple data types, including subtitles.
This guide will discuss two actionable ways to extract subtitles from MKV videos, focusing on practical 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 soft subs 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
For a quick and simple method to extract subtitles from MKV videos, consider using online tools. These browser-based programs are user-friendly, require no downloads or installations, and operate directly from your browser. Here are three popular tools in this 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 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, and 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.
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
Step1：On your system browser and visit Savesubs.
Step2：Next, add the video URL or enter any keyword related to the video for which you wish to extract the subtitles. Alternatively, upload a local file by clicking the Select Files button, then click Download.
Step3：Click the Click here to extract button to start the subtitle extraction process.
Solution 2: Rip Subtitles from MKV Video with Extractor Software
While online tools for extracting subtitles from MKV videos are convenient, they require internet access and offer limited features. For offline extraction with additional functionalities, desktop software is preferable. To assist in choosing, here are a few popular and reliable subtitle extractor programs.
Popular among users across the globe, this free desktop software is known as “de-factor open source for closed captions”.
Key features
- 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
- 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, such as cutting, cropping, rotating, merging, and more.
- It also allows searching and adding subtitle 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. Previewing the subtitles in real-time or in design time, spell checking, translation mode, and style editing are some of the main features.
Key features
- 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 previewing the subtitles in design-time or real-time.
- Support additional features like style editing, spell-check, translation mode, and more.
Best for: The tool is suitable for users who need a free tool that can work on Windows and 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. The steps using CCExtractor are listed below for your reference.
Steps to extract subtitles using CCExtractor
Step1 Download and install the software on your system.
Step2 Run CCExtractorGUI.exe and drag the video file to the program under the Input file tab.
Step3 Next, at the Output (1) tab, choose output type as .srt, and at the Output (2) tab, select UTF-8 Encoding.
Step4 Tap 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 talked about the ways in 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 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
Once you successfully generate or upload subtitles to Filmora, you can also use this software to edit them manually. Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Double-click the SRT file on the timeline.
Step 2: In the subtitle editor window, you can edit the subtitles’ position and size on the left preview screen. This window lets you add hyphens and bold subtitles, change subtitle alignment, etc (1).
Step 3: Look for the subtitle editing area to change time codes, edit text, split subtitles, or remove specific subtitle text (2).
Step 4: Browse subtitle presets, access additional customization options, or animate your subtitles above the subtitle editing section (3). When you’re done, click Save (4).
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, 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.
