SRT to FCPXML every subtitle becomes an editable Final Cut title.
To bring an SRT into Final Cut Pro as titles you can style and animate, convert it to .fcpxml. Paste the SRT, pick the frame rate, frame size and position, then download. When you import it, Final Cut creates a project with one title per subtitle, each landing on the exact frame.
Free, no sign-upIn Final Cut Pro, use File > Import > XML. It creates an event and a project with the titles. Opens in version 10.5 or later.
How to turn an SRT into Final Cut titles
- 01
Paste or drop the SRT
VTT and ASS work too. Broken accents and bad numbering get fixed as we read the file.
- 02
Match your project
Pick the frame rate and frame size (16:9, 9:16, 4K or 1:1), the position and the font size.
- 03
Import into Final Cut
Download the .fcpxml and open it with File > Import > XML. Copy the titles onto your video's timeline.
Captions or titles: what Final Cut uses for what
Since version 10.4.4, Final Cut Pro imports SRT natively as closed captions, from the File > Import menu. That route is great for captions viewers can switch on and off, but closed captions have limited styling.
When you want the text burned into the picture, with your own font, color, shadow and animation, Final Cut uses titles. That is what this tool builds: one Basic Title per SRT block, with the text, start and duration, ready for your look and for the exported video.
Every title lands on the exact frame of the frame rate you pick, so no caption flashes up half a frame before the line. Where two subtitles overlap, the second goes on the lane above instead of covering the first.
| Feature | Closed captions (native SRT) | Titles (.fcpxml) |
|---|---|---|
| Shows up as | Captions viewers toggle | Text in the picture |
| Fonts and animation | Limited | Any font, animated |
| In the MP4 | As a track or sidecar file | Burned in |
| Best for | Accessibility and streaming | Reels, Shorts, clips, branded video |
How to import in each Final Cut Pro version
Closed captions (native SRT): from version 10.4.4 on, including 10.6, 10.7, 11 and 12, go to File > Import and pick the captions item (Captions or Closed Captions, depending on the version). Choose the .srt, the caption role and language, and whether times count from the project start (Relative to Timeline) or from zero (Absolute). The captions attach to the primary storyline.
Titles (this tool's .fcpxml): from version 10.5 on, use File > Import > XML. Choose a library and Final Cut creates an event and a project with the titles in order. Select them all (Command + A), copy them, and paste them into your video's timeline with the playhead at the start. To restyle them all, tweak one title in the Inspector, save it as a text style and apply it to the rest.
If your footage is 29.97 fps and the subtitles were made for 25, the timing will drift. Run the SRT through the subtitle sync tool first, which converts between frame rates.
<title ref="r2" lane="1" offset="129129/30000s" duration="51051/30000s" name="Open your Bibles to John 3:16.">
<text>
<text-style ref="ts2">Open your Bibles to John 3:16.</text-style>
</text>
</title>Does Final Cut Pro make captions automatically?
Recent versions of Final Cut Pro can transcribe speech into captions on their own. If you have that, great: export the SRT and use this tool whenever you want those captions as styled titles.
For long recordings, like a full Sunday service, a podcast episode or a wedding ceremony, it pays to transcribe outside the timeline. With FilmScribe you get the transcript with every word timed, the SRT, chapters and captioned clips, and on Studio and Agency you export a Final Cut timeline as .fcpxml.
How to export an SRT from Final Cut Pro
If your subtitles are closed captions, go to File > Export Captions, pick the caption role and the SRT format. Titles do not export as SRT from Final Cut, so keep the original SRT or generate it again from the transcript.
More than an SRT converter. Captions and timeline straight from your video.
See also
Frequently asked questions
How do I import an SRT into Final Cut Pro?
For closed captions, use File > Import and the captions item (Captions or Closed Captions), available since version 10.4.4. For subtitles as editable titles burned into the video, convert the SRT to .fcpxml with this tool and import it with File > Import > XML.
How do I turn an SRT into editable titles?
Paste the SRT, pick your project's frame rate and frame size, the position and font size, and download the .fcpxml. Final Cut creates a project with one title per subtitle, starting and ending on the exact frame.
Which fcpxml version should I use?
We write version 1.9 of the format, which opens in Final Cut Pro 10.5 and every newer release. The titles use Basic Title, which ships with the app, so nothing extra needs to be installed.
Can Final Cut Pro export SRT?
Yes, for closed captions: go to File > Export Captions, pick the caption role and choose SRT. Titles are not exported as SRT, so keep the original SRT file or generate it again from the transcript before you upload to YouTube.
Does Final Cut Pro have automatic captions?
Yes, recent versions of Final Cut Pro can transcribe speech into closed captions. For long recordings, or when you also want chapters, captioned clips and, on Studio and Agency, a ready timeline, we transcribe the video in FilmScribe and you export both SRT and .fcpxml.
Generate subtitles for your video automatically. Then take them to Final Cut.
Upload a video or paste a YouTube link. We transcribe it word by word and you download the SRT, captioned clips and, on Studio and Agency, a Final Cut timeline as .fcpxml.
See the result on your own recording before adding a card.