When you export a caption file from YouTube or download one through a tool like YTCaptions, the file will usually be in one of three formats: SRT, VTT, or TXT. Each format stores the same basic information, but structures it differently. The format matters if you plan to edit the captions, import them into another tool, or use them in a specific workflow.

SRT: SubRip Text Format

SRT is the most widely supported caption format on the internet. It was originally developed for the SubRip software that extracted captions from DVDs, and it has been the standard for sharing subtitle and caption files ever since.

An SRT file looks like this:

1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,000
Welcome back to the channel.

2
00:00:04,500 --> 00:00:08,200
Today we are covering the complete setup process.

3
00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:13,500
By the end of this video you will have everything running.

Each caption block has a sequence number, a timecode range, and the text. The comma separates milliseconds in the timecode, which is the main detail that distinguishes SRT from VTT.

SRT is the best choice for uploading captions to platforms outside YouTube, since it works with virtually every video player and editor.

VTT: WebVTT Format

VTT, or WebVTT, is the format designed for web use. It is the standard for HTML5 video captions and the format YouTube uses internally for its own caption system.

A VTT file looks like this:

WEBVTT

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:04.000
Welcome back to the channel.

00:00:04.500 --> 00:00:08.200
Today we are covering the complete setup process.

00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:13.500
By the end of this video you will have everything running.

The main differences from SRT are the header line (WEBVTT at the top), the use of a period instead of a comma in timecodes, and support for additional formatting options like text positioning and styling cues.

YouTube accepts VTT uploads when you add manual captions to your own videos. If you are building a website with embedded video, VTT is the format that works natively with the HTML5 video element.

TXT: Plain Text

A plain text caption file is exactly what it sounds like: the transcript without any timecodes or formatting. Each line of text corresponds roughly to a caption, but there is no timing information.

Welcome back to the channel.
Today we are covering the complete setup process.
By the end of this video you will have everything running.

TXT files are the smallest and simplest. They are useful when you only need the spoken content and do not care about synchronization. If you are archiving a transcript for reading or text analysis, a TXT file is often the most convenient format.

What YTCaptions Provides

YTCaptions provides Markdown and JSON output, not raw SRT or VTT. The Markdown format includes timestamps in a readable form, which makes it easy to navigate while reading. The JSON format structures the data so you can use it in scripts or automation pipelines.

If you specifically need SRT or VTT, you can convert a Markdown or JSON transcript using caption conversion tools or a quick script. The timing information in the Markdown file gives you everything you need to reconstruct the timecoded format.

Quick Reference

Use SRT when you need to upload captions to a platform outside YouTube. Use VTT if you are building a website with embedded video and want native HTML5 support. Use TXT if you only need the spoken text for reading or archiving and do not need timing information.

Most users who just want to read or archive a transcript should use the Markdown or JSON output from YTCaptions, which is more readable than raw caption formats and preserves timestamps.