The VTT to plain text converter drops the WEBVTT line and the time ranges of a web caption track and leaves the words. A WebVTT file with two cues becomes one line of plain text (result: 2 cues). It is useful when a caption track from a web player has to become a paragraph for notes.
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Export to TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT · files up to 2 GB · about 30 languages · speakers and timestamps on request
In short
- Formula: remove the WEBVTT header and lines with a time range, join the rest, applied to the numbers in the table below.
- Assumption: only the first WEBVTT line, the time ranges and empty lines disappear, and the cue words are joined by spaces.
- If the file has NOTE blocks, delete them before you convert.
- Every number in the table follows from the formula above; none was measured on a real recording.
Calculation and example
Formula: remove the WEBVTT header and lines with a time range, join the rest
WebVTT input
WEBVTT 1 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:05.500 Please open the report on page three. 2 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:09.000 We will compare the totals line by line.
Plain text result
1 Please open the report on page three. 2 We will compare the totals line by line.
A WebVTT file with two cues becomes one line of plain text (result: 2 cues).
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Output formats | TXT, MD, DOCX and PDF for text; SRT and VTT for subtitles |
| Recognition | About 30 languages with good published results and a few more with warnings |
| File size | Files up to 2 GB |
| Short digest | The result message has a summary button for a digest of the text |
| Where it works | The Telegram bot @potok_now_bot, plus its mini app for big uploads |
Reading the table
Pick the row nearest to your case and note the difference between your numbers and the row. The formula is linear in most places, so a change in one input moves the result by the same proportion, which is easy to check on paper.
Next steps
Need a converter or a calculator? Open the tools. Unsure about a term? Check the glossary. Apps are on the download page.
Frequently asked questions
How does the VTT to plain text converter work?
It applies one rule: remove the WEBVTT header and lines with a time range, join the rest. A WebVTT file with two cues becomes one line of plain text (result: 2 cues).
What does the VTT to plain text converter assume?
It assumes that only the first WEBVTT line, the time ranges and empty lines disappear, and the cue words are joined by spaces. When the conditions differ, recalculate with your values by the same formula.
What does the table of the VTT to plain text converter show?
It shows: WebVTT input, Plain text result. Values: WebVTT input: WEBVTT / / 1 / 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:05.500 / Please open the report on page three. / / 2 / 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:09.000 / We will compare the totals line by line.; Plain text result: 1 Please open the report on page three. 2 We will compare the totals line by line..
Where do the definitions behind the VTT to plain text converter come from?
Units, formats and rules are described in the sources listed at the bottom of this page. The numbers in the table are calculated here by the formula above and are not copied from those sources.
How do I avoid a mistake with the VTT to plain text converter?
If the file has NOTE blocks, delete them before you convert. Use it when a caption track from a web player has to become a paragraph for notes.
Sources
Every source below was checked by hand on the date given. Sites change, so open the source if the exact wording matters.
- WebVTT: The Web Video Text Tracks Format (W3C), W3C · checked
- Text file (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
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