How to convert video to text and make SRT subtitles
Subtitles make videos watchable without sound and easier to find in search. Here is how to get a transcript and a timed SRT file from any video in a few minutes.
Transcribe a video on Mac
- Open Transcribe+ and drag and drop an MP4, MOV or other video onto the window. The audio track is extracted automatically.
- Choose the language spoken in the video.
- Start the transcription. You’ll get text with punctuation and timestamps.
- Review names and terms, then Export → SRT.
Transcribe a video on iPhone or iPad
Share the video from Photos, Files or any app to Transcribe.ai, pick the language and tap Transcribe. Screen recordings, Instagram or TikTok drafts, Zoom exports and lectures all work.
Use the SRT file in your editor
| Where | How to add SRT |
|---|---|
| YouTube | YouTube Studio → Subtitles → Add → Upload file → With timing. |
| Final Cut Pro | File → Import → Captions, then choose the SRT file. |
| Premiere Pro | Drag the SRT into the project panel, then onto the timeline as a caption track. |
| DaVinci Resolve | Import the SRT into the media pool and drag it onto the timeline. |
| VLC, IINA, QuickTime | Put the SRT next to the video with the same file name. |
Video to text for other jobs
- Blog posts from videos: export DOCX or TXT and edit it into an article.
- Show notes and chapters for podcasts and YouTube using the timestamps.
- Translating videos: transcribe in the original language, then translate the text.
- Webinars and courses: make the content searchable for students.
Tips for better subtitles
- Videos with music under the voice transcribe less accurately; use the clean voice track if you have it.
- Add brand and product names to the vocabulary before transcribing.
- Correct the text in the app before exporting, so the subtitles are correct too.
Try it on your own recording
Transcribe+ turns audio and video into text on iPhone, iPad and Mac. The first 15 minutes are free, no account needed to start.
Questions and answers
Can I get subtitles in another language?
Transcribe+ creates subtitles in the language spoken in the video, in any of 120 languages. To get subtitles in another language, translate the exported text.
Is SRT export free?
SRT, PDF and DOCX export are part of Transcribe+ Pro, which has a 3-day free trial.
Does it work with long videos?
Yes. Lectures, webinars and full-length interviews work; the time used comes from your balance.