How to Convert Text or TXT to SRT
Pasted text and a TXT file are two ways to supply the same source: the words you want to display. To convert TXT to SRT online, prepare one subtitle per line and choose how its timing should be created. You can use the workspace above without an account.
Paste text or choose a TXT file
Paste your script into the text box, or use Choose file to select a UTF-8 TXT file. Put each subtitle on its own line. Every non-empty line becomes one cue; blank lines are skipped. Uploading a file replaces the text in the box, so check the contents before continuing.
Choose a timing mode
Use Simple Timing to give every cue the same duration, such as 3 seconds. Choose Smart Timing to estimate each duration from the text and a reading speed of 150, 180 or 200 WPM. Both modes start the first cue at zero and place subsequent cues directly after it.
Create, preview and save
Select Create SRT, review the generated cue table and raw SRT preview, then use Copy SRT or Download SRT. The previews are shortened for readability; copying and downloading include every generated cue. Check the saved file against your intended playback before using it as finished subtitles.
Simple Timing vs Smart Timing
Simple Timing makes the duration predictable: every non-empty line receives the number of seconds you enter. It is useful when you want an evenly spaced draft. Smart Timing varies the duration according to the amount of text and your selected reading speed. Neither mode checks when someone actually speaks.
| Feature | Simple Timing | Smart Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Cue duration | Same for every line | Estimated per line |
| Main setting | Seconds per cue | 150 / 180 / 200 WPM |
| Useful for | Evenly spaced drafts | Lines of different lengths |
| Uses AI | No | No |
| Syncs to speech | No | No |
WPM means words per minute. A lower reading speed generally allows more time for the same text. Smart Timing keeps each cue between 1 and 7 seconds; if a long line reaches the upper limit, the tool shows a note suggesting that you split it. It does not split that line for you.
Treat the result as a starting timeline. Reading pace depends on the language, audience and content. A numerical estimate cannot account for a speaker pausing, changing pace or leaving a gap between sentences.
Text to SRT Example
With Simple Timing set to 3 seconds, these two lines become two consecutive cues. The timestamps come from the selected duration; they are not automatically aligned to a specific video.
Hello world. This is my second subtitle.
1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,000 Hello world. 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:06,000 This is my second subtitle.
What Is an SRT File?
An SRT file is a text file with a specific subtitle structure and the .srt extension. Each cue contains a sequence number, start and end times, and subtitle text. A blank line separates it from the next cue. A compatible player uses those times to decide when to show the words.
This tool adds that structure to your text, starting with cue 1. It preserves the text in each non-empty line, including punctuation and Unicode characters. Your line breaks define the cue boundaries, so review the source layout before you create an SRT file from text.
When Should You Convert Text to SRT?
- Turn a script into a draft. Break a prepared script into subtitle-sized lines and give it an initial timeline for later review.
- Reuse a transcript. Arrange the existing text into cues before importing the SRT into your editing workflow. Review any speaker labels yourself.
- Prepare captions before manual timing. Start with numbered cues so you can spend the next editing pass on matching their timing to playback.
- Convert a saved text file. Load a TXT copy of your content, check its line breaks and download a structured subtitle file without retyping it.
What This Tool Does — and Does Not Do
The tool accepts pasted text or TXT, creates fixed or estimated timings, previews the resulting cues, and lets you copy or download SRT. Everything runs locally. It keeps the workflow focused on preparing an editable subtitle draft from words you already have.
It does not transcribe audio, analyze video, detect speakers or automatically synchronize speech. Smart Timing does not use AI. Embedded timestamps in arbitrary text are not interpreted as timing instructions. For an existing timed subtitle file, keep that original rather than pasting its full structure into this text box.
FAQ
Can I convert a TXT file to SRT?
Yes. This TXT to SRT converter accepts a plain text file and creates numbered subtitle cues with timing. Choose your file, select Simple Timing or Smart Timing, and create the result. Merely renaming a .txt file to .srt does not add the cue numbers and timing lines that an SRT file needs.
How do I convert text to SRT?
Paste the text or choose a TXT file, select a timing mode, then click Create SRT. Review the result before copying or downloading it. Put each intended subtitle on its own line first; a long paragraph on one line will become one long cue, not several automatically split captions.
How does Smart Timing work?
It estimates how long each line takes to read using text length and the selected reading speed. Choose 150, 180 or 200 WPM. Longer lines generally get more time, within the 1–7 second range. These are starting estimates, so review unusually short or long cues yourself.
Is Smart Timing AI?
No. It uses a reading-speed calculation on the text you supply. It does not understand the script or listen to speech. The name describes variable estimated durations, not an intelligent alignment service.
Does this automatically sync subtitles to my video?
No. The timing modes work from text alone. Preview your SRT alongside the intended video and adjust individual cues in a subtitle editor as needed. Resync Subtitles can apply one consistent offset later, but it does not correct changing timing differences throughout a file.
Can I choose how long each subtitle stays on screen?
Yes. Select Simple Timing and enter Duration per subtitle in seconds. The same duration applies to every cue. For example, 3 seconds makes the first cue run from 00:00:00,000 to 00:00:03,000 and the second from 00:00:03,000 to 00:00:06,000.
Can I upload a TXT file?
Yes. Choose one UTF-8 TXT file, with or without a BOM, up to 5 MB. You can edit the loaded text before creating the SRT. If the file uses another encoding, save a UTF-8 copy first. The tool processes one source at a time.
Is my text uploaded?
No. Pasted text and selected TXT files are processed locally in your browser. Timing, preview, copy and download do not require a server upload or an account. Reset clears the current workspace when you are ready to start with a different text.
Can I use my own timestamps?
The current Text to SRT tool creates timings from Simple Timing or Smart Timing. It does not parse arbitrary prewritten timestamp formats. A timestamp typed into the text box is treated as subtitle text, so remove timing notes from your script before creating the file.