Convert TXT to SRT
A free text to SRT converter. Paste a script or transcript, or drop a .txt file, and get an SRT file split into readable, timed subtitles. It runs in your browser, so your text never leaves your device.
Your text
Your text never leaves your device. It all happens in your browser.
Subtitle file
How to convert TXT to SRT
To convert TXT to SRT, paste your text into the converter above or drop in a .txt file. It splits the text into subtitles of up to two 42-character lines, gives each one a start and end time, and numbers them. Plain text has no timings, so they are worked out from a normal speaking speed, or spread over your video if you enter its length. If your text already has timestamps, like a copied YouTube transcript, those are used instead. Click Download .srt to save the file. It is free, needs no signup, and your text never leaves your device.
How it works
- Step 1
Add your text
Paste a script or transcript, or drop a .txt file onto the box.
- Step 2
Set the timing
Pick a speaking speed, or enter your video’s length to spread the subtitles over it. Timestamps in your text are used as they are.
- Step 3
Check the subtitles
The SRT appears on the right, numbered and timed, with long sentences split into readable lines.
- Step 4
Download the .srt
Save it as SRT, VTT or SBV, then upload it to YouTube or import it into your video editor.
What the converter does with your text
- Splits the text into subtitles at the ends of sentences, and cuts long sentences at a comma or near the middle, so no subtitle is more than two lines.
- Keeps each line to 42 characters, the usual limit for landscape video, or 32 for vertical video, and breaks the two lines where they read best.
- Times each subtitle from how long it takes to say, between 1 and 7 seconds, one after another from the start time you set. Enter your video’s length to stretch or squeeze them to fit.
- Uses the timestamps in your text when it has them: a YouTube transcript copied with its times, lines starting with 0:05 or [00:01:12], Otter or Descript speaker lines, and Premiere Pro text exports with frame timecodes.
- Keeps speaker names from transcripts as “Name: ” at the start of their first subtitle.
- Numbers every subtitle and writes SRT timings like 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,500. A .txt file that is already an SRT is read as one.
TXT vs SRT
| Detail | TXT | SRT |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Plain text | SubRip Subtitle |
| First line | The first sentence | A cue number (1) |
| Timing | None | 00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:03,000 |
| Styling | None | Bold, italic and underline |
| Use it for | Transcripts, show notes, blog posts and searching what was said | Video editors, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn and most media players |
Want subtitles timed to the speech?
Upload your video and AutoSubtitles writes the subtitles from what is said, word by word, then burns them into the video in any of 28 styles. Free to start, with no account. Download the SRT with Pro.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I convert a TXT file to SRT?
Drop the .txt file into the converter at the top of this page, or paste the text. The SRT version appears straight away, split into numbered, timed subtitles. Click Download .srt to save it.
- How does it work out the timings?
Plain text has no timings, so each subtitle gets as long as it takes to say at a normal speaking speed, from 1 to 7 seconds, one after another. You can choose a slower or faster speed, set when the first subtitle starts, or enter your video’s length to spread the subtitles evenly over it. If your text has timestamps, those are used instead.
- Will the subtitles match the speech in my video?
Only roughly. The converter can’t hear your video, so timings from plain text are estimates. To line them up, open the SRT in the free subtitle editor and play your video alongside it. To get timings from the speech itself, upload the video to AutoSubtitles: it writes the subtitles from what is said, and you can fix any word to match your script.
- Can I convert a YouTube or Premiere Pro transcript to SRT?
Yes. Paste a YouTube transcript copied with its timestamps, or a Premiere Pro transcript or captions export saved as text, and the converter keeps those times. For Premiere’s timecodes, which count frames, choose your video’s frame rate.
- Can I convert text to VTT instead?
Yes. Choose VTT above the result to get a WebVTT file for web players, Vimeo or course platforms. SBV, the older YouTube format, is there too.
- How long should each subtitle be?
Most guidelines allow two lines of up to 42 characters each, shown for 1 to 7 seconds. Vertical videos for TikTok, Reels and Shorts are narrower, so 32 characters a line, or one line at a time, reads better.
- Is this TXT to SRT converter free?
Yes. It is free with no signup, no watermark and no limit on how much text you convert.
- Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. Your browser does the conversion on your device. Nothing is sent to a server, so it works for private scripts and unreleased work too.
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