SubGrab

SRT vs VTT vs TXT: Which Transcript Format Should You Use?

TXT, SRT, and VTT each exist for a different job. Here's a plain-English guide to the three transcript formats SubGrab exports — and exactly when to pick each one.

Every transcript you export from SubGrab comes in three formats: TXT, SRT, and VTT. They contain the same words, but they're structured for completely different jobs. Pick the wrong one and you'll spend ten minutes reformatting; pick the right one and it just works. Here's the plain-English breakdown.

TXT — Plain Text (For Reading and Repurposing)

A TXT file is exactly what it sounds like: the words, with no timestamps and no formatting codes. It's the right choice when a human is going to read or rework the content.

Use TXT when you want to:

  • Read the transcript like an article.
  • Paste it into a doc, email, or notes app.
  • Feed it to an AI tool to summarize or rewrite.
  • Repurpose a video into a blog post or social content.
  • Quote or cite what someone said.

Skip TXT when you need the text to sync to video playback — there are no timestamps, so it can't drive subtitles.

SRT — SubRip Subtitles (For Uploading Captions)

SRT is the most widely supported subtitle format on the planet. It's a simple numbered list of caption blocks, each with a start and end timecode and a line of text. Almost every video editor and platform accepts it.

Use SRT when you want to:

  • Upload captions to YouTube, Vimeo, or social platforms.
  • Burn subtitles into a video in Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, or Final Cut.
  • Hand a captions file to a client or editor.
  • Have timestamps but maximum compatibility.

SRT timecodes use a comma before the milliseconds (00:00:01,500). That tiny detail is the main thing that separates it from VTT, and it's why some web players reject SRT — which is exactly what VTT was created to fix.

VTT — WebVTT (For the Web and HTML5 Video)

VTT (WebVTT) is the modern, web-native subtitle format. It's what the HTML5 video element expects via the track tag, and it supports styling and positioning that SRT can't. Structurally it's close to SRT but uses a dot before the milliseconds (00:00:01.500) and starts with a WEBVTT header.

Use VTT when you want to:

  • Add captions to a video on your own website with the HTML5 player.
  • Use a web framework or player library that expects WebVTT.
  • Keep the option of caption styling and positioning later.

If you're publishing to the open web, VTT is usually the cleanest choice. If you're uploading to a platform's caption uploader, SRT is the safer bet for compatibility.

Quick Decision Guide

  • You want to read it or rewrite it → TXT.
  • You're uploading captions to a platform or video editor → SRT.
  • You're embedding video on your own website → VTT.

When in doubt, grab TXT for the words and SRT for the captions — between them they cover almost every use case.

A Note on Timestamps and Accuracy

SRT and VTT both carry per-segment timestamps, so they let viewers jump to the exact moment a line was spoken. This is what makes a transcript searchable against the video. If you only need to read, the timestamps in TXT would just be clutter, which is why TXT leaves them out.

Whether your transcript came from free caption extraction or AI transcription, all three exports are generated from the same underlying segments — so the timing lines up regardless of source.

Where the Transcript Comes From

The format is the last step. Getting the transcript in the first place depends on the platform:

  • Caption-friendly platforms like YouTube and Vimeo often have free, instant captions to extract.
  • Audio-first platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and X/Twitter usually need AI transcription.
  • Either way, you get all three export formats at the end.

FAQ

Can I convert SRT to VTT or vice versa?

Yes, they're close enough that conversion is trivial — but it's easier to just export the format you need directly from SubGrab instead of converting by hand.

Which format does YouTube accept for uploading captions?

YouTube accepts SRT (and several others). SRT is the safe default for any platform's caption uploader.

Why does my web player reject the SRT file?

Most browsers' HTML5 track element expects WebVTT, not SRT. Use the VTT export for on-site video.

Do all three cost the same?

There's no per-format charge at all. One transcript gives you all three downloads. You only spend a credit when a video needs AI transcription; caption extraction is free. See pricing.

Which should I use for an AI summary or to feed another tool?

TXT — plain words with no timecodes is what language models handle best. SubGrab can also generate a structured AI summary for you directly.

Extract a transcript and grab all three formats — start free.