Input example
approved script + final voiceover audio for this publishing workflow
Text to SRT guide
How to create an SRT file from text
If the words are already written, the safest subtitle workflow is not to ask speech recognition to guess them again. Start with the final text, add timing from the matching voiceover, then validate the SRT file before upload or delivery.
Output asset example
SRT/VTT subtitle assets plus quality notes for downstream upload or editor handoff
Common quality signal
Late narration edits shift subtitle timing against the approved script.
Decision points
Start with the approved text
Use a final script, TXT file, lesson draft, product walkthrough, or voiceover copy as the text source. The goal is to create timed subtitles from that text, not to produce a new machine transcript that may change names, numbers, or product terms.
Add timing from matching audio
Text alone cannot create real SRT timestamps. For publishable subtitles, pair the text with the final voiceover audio so the subtitle lines can be placed on the timeline while the submitted wording stays intact.
Validate the SRT before delivery
A useful SRT file needs more than timestamps. Check line length, reading speed, ordering, overlap, and export readiness before sending the file to YouTube Studio, an editor, a client, or a localization workflow.
Use the right tool for existing subtitle files
If you already have an SRT or VTT file, use a subtitle checker first. It can find formatting and readability issues without changing timestamps or rewriting text.
Avoid off-scope shortcuts
Do not treat video URLs, audio-only files, or broad media conversion as the same problem. This guide is for people who already have the words and want reliable subtitle timing from owned files.
Practical workflow
- 1
Prepare the final text as a script, TXT file, or clean pasted text.
- 2
Export or save the matching voiceover audio from the same version of the script.
- 3
Create a Script + Audio project in TimedSubs and upload both files.
- 4
Review timing, readability, overlap, and mismatch warnings before export.
- 5
Export SRT or VTT when the subtitle timeline is ready for delivery.
- 6
Run the exported file through the free subtitle checker if you need an extra SRT/VTT validation pass.
Product boundary
This guide covers text-to-SRT timing from a written source and matching audio. TimedSubs is not a public video downloader, media converter, or audio-only transcription service.
Related guides and tools
FAQ
Can I create an SRT file from text alone?
You can draft subtitle text from a TXT file, but a real SRT file needs timestamps. TimedSubs uses the matching voiceover audio to place the submitted text on the timeline.
Is this the same as automatic captions?
No. Automatic captions start from speech recognition and may change the wording. This workflow starts from your text and uses audio for timing.
Can I use a TXT file?
Yes. A clean TXT file works well when it contains the final words spoken in the audio.
What if I already have an SRT file?
Use the free subtitle checker to inspect timestamps, line length, reading speed, and overlap. If the timing itself is wrong, recreate timing from the source text and matching audio.
Does TimedSubs download YouTube videos?
No. Upload files you own or have permission to process, then upload the exported SRT file yourself in the downstream platform.