YouTube Transcript Formats Explained: TXT, SRT, VTT, JSON
When you extract a YouTube transcript, you can download it in four formats: TXT, SRT, VTT, and JSON. Each serves a different purpose — here's exactly when to use each one.
1. TXT — Plain Text
The simplest format. Just the spoken words, nothing else. No timestamps, no formatting codes.
Welcome to this tutorial. Today we are going to learn about YouTube transcripts.
There are four main formats you can use.
Let me walk you through each one.
Best for:
- •Reading and summarizing video content
- •Copying quotes
- •Feeding into AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude)
- •Blog post repurposing
2. SRT — SubRip Subtitle
The most widely supported subtitle format. Each block has a sequence number, a timestamp range, and the text.
1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,500
Welcome to this tutorial.
2
00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:08,200
Today we are going to learn about YouTube transcripts.
Best for:
- •Adding subtitles in video editors (Premiere, DaVinci, Final Cut)
- •Uploading captions to other platforms (Vimeo, Facebook)
- •Translation workflows
3. VTT — WebVTT
The web standard for subtitles. Used natively by HTML5 video players and most web-based platforms. Similar to SRT but with a different header and time format.
WEBVTT
00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:04.500
Welcome to this tutorial.
00:00:04.600 --> 00:00:08.200
Today we are going to learn about YouTube transcripts.
Best for:
- •Embedding subtitles in HTML5 video players
- •Web development projects
- •Accessibility compliance on websites
4. JSON — Raw Data
Structured data with full timestamp precision. Every segment is an object with a start time, duration, and text string.
[
{ "start": 1.0, "dur": 3.5, "text": "Welcome to this tutorial." },
{ "start": 4.6, "dur": 3.6, "text": "Today we are going to learn..." }
]
Best for:
- •Developers building apps with transcript data
- •Custom processing with Python or JavaScript
- •Data analysis and NLP projects
Quick Reference
| Format | Timestamps | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| TXT | No | Reading, AI tools, repurposing |
| SRT | Yes | Video editors, multi-platform |
| VTT | Yes | Web players, HTML5 |
| JSON | Yes (precise) | Developers, data analysis |
Extract transcripts in all 4 formats
YTTools exports YouTube transcripts as TXT, SRT, VTT, and JSON — free, no signup.
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