Convert SRT to TXT, TXT to SRT & SRT to VTT (Free)
A plain-English guide to converting subtitle files — turn SRT into clean TXT, TXT into timed SRT, or SRT into VTT for the web, and when to use each.
Subtitle files come in a few flavours, and sooner or later you'll have one in the wrong one. Maybe your editor exported an SRT but you just want the words as plain text. Maybe you wrote a script in a TXT file and need to turn it into timed subtitles. Maybe a browser wants VTT and all you have is SRT. This guide covers all three, plus what each format actually is.
Quick reference: what each format is for
- SRT (.srt) — the most common subtitle file. Numbered cues, each with a start/end timestamp. Used by almost every video editor.
- VTT (.vtt) — "WebVTT." Basically SRT with a `WEBVTT` header. This is what web browsers use for captions on HTML5 video.
- TXT (.txt) — plain text, no timing at all. What you want for reading, notes, blog posts, or pasting into an AI tool.
SRT to TXT (strip the timestamps)
This is the most common conversion: you have a subtitle file and you just want the words. An SRT looks like this:
```
1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,000
Welcome back to the channel.
```
Converting to TXT means removing the cue numbers and the timestamp lines, leaving only "Welcome back to the channel." The fastest way is to paste the SRT into our YouTube Transcript Generator and copy the plain-text version, or open the file in a text editor and delete the timing lines with a find-and-replace.
If you want to do it manually, search for this pattern in any regex-capable editor and replace it with nothing:
```
\d+\n\d{2}:\d{2}:\d{2},\d{3} --> .*\n
```
That removes the index and timestamp lines in one pass.
TXT to SRT (add timing to a plain script)
Going the other way is harder, because plain text has no timing — something has to decide when each line appears. Tools that do TXT-to-SRT split your text into short chunks and assign each one an estimated duration (based on reading speed). The result won't be frame-perfect, but it's a solid starting point you can nudge in your editor. If you need exact sync, you'll still tweak the timings by hand afterward.
SRT to VTT (for websites)
This one is almost trivial. VTT is SRT with two differences: it starts with a `WEBVTT` line, and timestamps use a dot instead of a comma (`00:00:01.000` instead of `00:00:01,000`). To convert, add the header and swap the commas in the timestamps for dots. Most converters do it instantly, and the cue text stays exactly the same.
How to open an SRT file (if you just want to read it)
An SRT is plain text with a different extension, so you don't need special software. Right-click it and open with Notepad (Windows), TextEdit (Mac), or any code editor. You'll see the numbered cues and timestamps. If you only care about the words, convert it to TXT first — it's far easier to read.
Which one do you actually need?
- Editing a video → SRT
- Captions on a website → VTT
- Reading, notes, or feeding text to AI → TXT
When in doubt, keep the SRT (it has the timing) and make a TXT copy for reading. You can always regenerate the others from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert an SRT file to plain text?
Remove the cue numbers and timestamp lines, leaving only the spoken text. The quickest way is to paste the SRT into a transcript tool and copy the plain-text output, or use a find-and-replace in any text editor to strip the timing lines.
How do I convert a TXT file to SRT?
A TXT-to-SRT tool splits your text into short lines and assigns each an estimated start and end time based on reading speed. It gives you a working subtitle file, though you may want to fine-tune the timings in a video editor for exact sync.
What is the difference between SRT and VTT?
They're nearly the same. VTT (WebVTT) adds a "WEBVTT" header and uses a dot in timestamps (00:00:01.000) instead of SRT's comma (00:00:01,000). SRT is for video editors; VTT is for web browsers.
How do I open an SRT file?
An SRT is just text. Open it with Notepad, TextEdit, or any code editor — no special software needed. To read it comfortably, convert it to plain text so the timestamps don't get in the way.
Will converting subtitles change the words?
No. Converting between SRT, VTT, and TXT only changes the formatting and timing data — the actual caption text stays exactly the same.