Free tool
TXT to SRT Converter
Paste text — get an SRT cut into captions and timed by reading speed.
Example: Input and Output
Input (.txt), one pasted paragraph
Welcome to the onboarding video. Your account is ready, and your first recording can start right away. Start by connecting your calendar, then invite your team.
Output (.srt), timed by reading speed
1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,882
Welcome to the onboarding video.
2
00:00:01,882 --> 00:00:05,941
Your account is ready, and your
first recording can start right away.
3
00:00:05,941 --> 00:00:09,294
Start by connecting your calendar,
then invite your team.
How to Convert Subtitle Files
Four steps to convert any subtitle or transcript format — no software, no upload, no account.
- Paste your plain textPaste a script, a paragraph or the contents of a .txt file into the input area. A line that fits one caption stays as it is; a longer one is cut at sentence ends, then at commas and other clause breaks.
- Keep reading-speed timing or fix itBy reading speed, each caption lasts its characters divided by 17 seconds, between 1 and 7, with no gap before the next. "Fixed seconds per line" makes every line one caption of the duration you type instead.
- Review the generated SRTThe output panel shows a valid SRT file with sequence numbers, timestamps, and your text — updating live as you edit the input or change the timing.
- Download and fine-tuneDownload the .srt file and load it against your video in any editor. Because the timing is synthetic, expect to nudge a few cues so they land on the right moment — the file gives you a structurally correct starting point instead of a blank page.
Why Use This Converter
- Turns a plain TXT file to SRT, or any pasted text, into a valid SRT file in one click
- Cuts long text into captions of up to two 42-character lines and times each at 17 characters per second — or at a fixed duration you set
- No audio or video required — works purely from the text you paste
- 100% client-side — your script or text is never uploaded
- Output loads directly into Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, VLC, or any SRT-compatible player
- No file size limits, no watermarks, no sign-up required
Frequently Asked Questions
Paste the file's contents into the input area above, or drop the .txt. With Timing on "By reading speed", the converter cuts the text into captions and times each one; with "Fixed seconds per line", every line becomes one caption of the duration you set. Click Download to save the .srt file.
No. Plain text has no timing information, so this tool times each caption by how long it takes to read, or by the seconds you set — it does not know when someone actually speaks each line in your video. Treat the output as a structurally valid starting point and adjust individual cue timings in a video editor once you can see them against the footage.
Each caption stays on screen for its number of characters divided by 17 seconds, at least 1 and at most 7, and the next caption starts the moment it ends. 17 characters per second is Netflix's limit for children's programs in its English (USA) style guide (20 for adult programs), checked September 23, 2026; the 42-character line and the 7-second maximum come from Netflix's guidelines too. With fixed timing, 2–3 seconds suits a caption of 5–8 words.
Text-to-SRT is useful when you already have a script, voiceover text, or translated caption text and just need a correctly formatted subtitle file to start syncing — for example when localizing subtitles from a translated script. If you have an actual audio or video recording and need real spoken timestamps, use a transcription tool instead, since it times cues against the actual speech.
Yes, completely free. There is no account, no sign-up, and no usage limit.
No. All conversion happens in your browser. Your text is never sent to any server, never stored, and never leaves your device.
More Free Tools
Still on subtitles? Edit timings and text before exporting, read how an SRT file is structured, or burn subtitles into an MP4.
