SRT to TXT (or Text to SRT): The Best Way to Extract or Rebuild Subtitles Without Messy Formatting

TL;DR

• Extract: Strip timestamps and numbering from SRT to get clean TXT—no weird line breaks.
• Rebuild: Turn TXT back into SRT with auto timing (fixed or per-word), min/max durations, and line wrapping.
• Use the free in-browser tools: SRT to TXT and Text to SRT. No uploads, no signup.

Why SRT ↔ TXT?

• Transcripts/notes: Get plain text for blogs, summaries, or editing.
• Clean re-import: Edit text and regenerate SRT with fresh timing for new videos or platforms.
• Compatibility: SRT is universal; TXT is easiest to edit.

How to Extract TXT from SRT (No Messy Breaks)

1. Upload SRT to SRT to TXT.
2. Remove timestamps/indices; normalize spacing and blank lines.
3. Download clean TXT (UTF-8) ready for editing or posting.

Common Cleanup Rules

• Drop cue numbers and HH:MM:SS,mmm --> HH:MM:SS,mmm.
• Merge multi-line cues intelligently so sentences stay intact.
• Preserve paragraph breaks where appropriate.

How to Rebuild SRT from TXT (With Natural Timing)

1. Paste TXT into Text to SRT.
2. Choose timing strategy: fixed duration per cue or per-word timing.
3. Set min/max durations (e.g., 1.2–5.0s), per-word pace, and line wrap (~35–42 chars).
4. Preview; download .srt instantly.

Tips for Better Timing

• Split on punctuation first; wrap long lines to keep cues readable.
• Clamp very short cues (>1s) and long cues (<7s) to avoid flicker or drag.
• Add a small gap (50–100ms) to avoid overlaps.

Example: SRT → TXT → SRT

Original SRT snippet:

1
00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:04,500
Thanks for watching!

2
00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,200
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Extracted TXT:

Thanks for watching!
Subscribe for more.

Rebuilt SRT (per-word timing):

1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,000
Thanks for watching!

2
00:00:02,050 --> 00:00:04,200
Subscribe for more.

Common Pitfalls (and Fixes)

• Weird line breaks: Enable merge/normalize; wrap at sensible lengths.
• Encoding issues: Save/export as UTF-8; re-run conversion if characters look garbled.
• Overlaps: Use a minimum gap and trim ends to avoid collisions.
• Periods vs commas: SRT needs commas in timestamps; converters handle this automatically.

FAQ

Do you store my files?
No. Conversions run locally in your browser.

Can I keep styling?
SRT is plain text; styling isn’t preserved. For styling, use ASS—but keep SRT for compatibility.

Batch support?
One file at a time; you can run multiple conversions back-to-back in-browser.

Ready to convert?

Try SRT to TXT or Text to SRT and get clean text or a fresh .srt in seconds.