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WebVTT captions

Audio and video to VTT captions

To create a VTT caption file from audio or video, upload the file to TryScriptorium, correct the transcript, then export VTT. WebVTT is the caption format used by HTML5 video players. One file up to 15 minutes and 25 MB is free with no account. SRT comes from the same transcript.

A VTT file is the caption format web video players read. Upload a recording, correct the text in the editor, and download the same transcript as a .vtt file with a start and end time on every cue.

Free preview: one file up to 15 minutes and 25 MB, 3 tries a day, no account needed.

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Key facts

How to create a VTT file

  1. Upload. Drop the audio or video file into the box.
  2. Transcribe. Choose the language and start.
  3. Correct. Fix mistakes before exporting.
  4. Export VTT. Choose VTT in the export menu.
  5. Attach it. Reference the .vtt file in a track element or upload it as captions.

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When you want VTT instead of SRT

WebVTT is the caption format of the HTML <track> element, so it is what you want for a video embedded on your own web page or played in an HTML5 player. SRT is older and more widely accepted by desktop editors and some platforms. Both come from the same transcript here, so you can download each.

Using the file

  • In HTML, add a <track kind="captions" src="captions.vtt" srclang="en"> inside your video element.
  • Many video platforms and players accept a .vtt upload as a caption track; check yours.
  • Open the file in a text editor to see it: a WEBVTT header, then a time range and the text for each cue.

Honest limits

This makes the caption file. It does not burn captions into the picture, and it does not translate them into another language. Check timing on fast speech and fix wrong words in the editor before downloading.

How it works

  1. Add a recording

    Drop in a video or audio file, choose one from your device, or record from the microphone. Nothing to install.

  2. It transcribes

    Speech becomes timestamped text, with speaker labels when more than one person talks.

  3. Read, fix, export

    Click any line to correct it, then download TXT, subtitles, Markdown, JSON or CSV.

Questions

How do I get a VTT file from a video?
Upload the video, wait for the transcript, edit it if you want, then choose VTT in the export menu.
Is a VTT file the same as an SRT file?
They are both timed-text caption files with slightly different syntax. WebVTT is for the web, SRT is more common in desktop editing.
Can I convert an existing SRT to VTT?
This page transcribes audio or video; it does not convert subtitle files. If you still have the recording, transcribe it and export VTT.
Is it free?
Yes — one file up to 15 minutes and 25 MB with no account, up to 3 tries a day. A free account keeps your transcripts in a library and lifts the guest limits; the current limits and paid plans are on the pricing page.
What is VTT used for?
It is the caption format for web video players.
Do VTT files support styling?
The file is plain timed text; styling is handled by the player.
Can I use the file on a website?
Yes, with a element in an HTML5 video tag.
Is a VTT export free?
Yes, export is included on the free tier.
Does it burn captions into the video?
No. It creates the caption file only.

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