SUB File Extension
Subtitle Format
- File Type sub
- Developer Tiamat Software
- Popularity
- Application SubtitleCreator
- Category Text Files
- Format Text
What is a SUB file?
The SUB extension is related to Subtitle Format and is classified in the Text Files category, which contains 315 files.
The Subtitle Format (SUB) was developed by Tiamat, which created file format and programs to work with them.
SUB file support extends to various operating systems, including Windows, Linux and Mac OS. To open a SUB file, you can choose from 18 programs such as SubtitleCreator, Aegisub and Bistec.
Programs that support SUB files
Windows
Mac OS
How to open a SUB file?
If you cannot open a SUB file, it is most often due to missing software. Select a program from the list according to your operating system. Then go to the official website of the program developer, download it, and install it on your device.
Thanks to their popularity, SubtitleCreator, Aegisub and Bistec are often the go-to programs for managing SUB files. If you need the newest version of SubtitleCreator, just access the SubtitleCreator website. From there you can download the installer compatible with all systems.
Once setup is done, your operating system should assign SubtitleCreator as the default app for SUB files.
Set SubtitleCreator as the default SUB application
Change the default app that opens a file on Mac
- Right-click or use Control + Left-click on the desired SUB file to open a menu where you can choose from multiple actions;
- Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
- Scroll down to the bottom of the window, where you will find the "Enable" menu. Default, "Recommended Programs" will be selected;
- In this menu, choose "All Programs" and navigate to SubtitleCreator. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.
Change a default app in Windows
- Start by right-clicking on your SUB file, then select the "Open with" option and choose "Choose another app" from the menu that appears;
- From the options listed in the pop-up window, specifically choose SubtitleCreator as the application to handle your SUB file;
- Be sure to check the "Always use this app" checkbox and click "OK" to save your preference.
Troubleshooting guide for SUB file complications
If you encounter issues with SUB files, don’t worry—most can be fixed with minor software adjustments. Refer to the troubleshooting tips below.
What can lead to sudden SubtitleCreator crashes?
Insufficient updates for SubtitleCreator products can cause SubtitleCreator to crash. Be sure to regularly install the latest software updates.
Restarting your computer is a crucial troubleshooting measure that can alleviate numerous common problems. Therefore, it is advisable to restart your computer before modifying any settings related to the software.
What is the recommended approach to repair a damaged SUB file?
Use a recovery program to open the damaged SUB file, and in the menu, click "Repair" to start the repair operation. Allow the recovery process to complete, which will automatically repair the damaged text files.
What are the ways to check if my SUB file is damaged?
Characteristics of corrupted SUB text files can include:
- When opening the file, errors occur or the inability to access its contents;
- Editing the archive in SubtitleCreator is hampered by poor overall performance;
- SubtitleCreator or other programs stop responding or crash when trying to handle the file;
- Unexplained SUB file size inflation;
- Actions performed on the file result in the appearance of error notifications;
How to edit a SUB file?
To modify SUB files, you need to install special software that makes it possible to open and edit text files. Online SUB editors are more restricted compared to software designed for Subtitle Format.
Best SUB Editor Software in 2026
Following these criteria, we have put together a list of recommended SUB editors.
| SUB Editor Software | Developer | Platforms | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtitle Workshop | Subtitle | Windows | 4.8 out of 5 (39 reviews) |
| SubtitleCreator | SubtitleCreator | Windows | 4.8 out of 5 (37 reviews) |
| Gnome Subtitles | Pedro Castro | Linux | 4.7 out of 5 (42 reviews) |
| Swift Create | Softel | Windows | 4.7 out of 5 (34 reviews) |
| URUworks Subtitle Workshop | URUWorks | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | 4.5 out of 5 (39 reviews) |
| Gaupol Subtitle Editor | Osmo Salomaa | Windows | 4.4 out of 5 (41 review) |
| Jubler subtitle editor | Katsaloulis | Mac OS | 4.4 out of 5 (42 reviews) |
| Bistec | dolzsan | Mac OS | 4.3 out of 5 (39 reviews) |
| Subs Factory | Traintrain | Mac OS | 4.3 out of 5 (37 reviews) |
| Aegisub | - | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | 4.2 out of 5 (40 reviews) |
Convert files to and from SUB
If handling a SUB file is problematic, consider converting it to alternative formats such as ASS, SMI, SR or other supported types.
After converting a SUB file, some capabilities may be limited, but you can often convert it back to the original format.
SubtitleCreator, Gnome Subtitles and Jubler subtitle editor are offline tools that convert SUB files to other formats seamlessly and without quality loss.