How to use UrlToSub
Turn any video into subtitles in minutes. No account needed. Your video never leaves your computer.
Open the app
Click "Launch App" from the top menu. The app runs entirely in your browser — no installation needed. While loading you'll see a branded intro animation — this is normal and takes a few seconds. You'll see LOADING APP - this takes a few seconds and a gold progress bar at the bottom. Once ready, AI ENGINE ONLINE appears in the bottom left. To clear all jobs from the list, use CLEAR ALL in the bottom status bar.
Upload your video or audio
Drag and drop your video or audio file onto the drop zone, or click SELECT FILE at the bottom left. Audio is extracted locally in your browser, then sent to Whisper AI for transcription. Your video file never leaves your computer.
.urltosub file — your subtitles restore instantly with no re-transcription needed.Choose your subtitle language
A dialog will appear asking what language you want your subtitles in. The spoken language is detected automatically — you only need to pick the output language.
FREE users get 12 languages including all Scandinavian languages (Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Icelandic), English, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Arabic, and Mandarin. PRO, PREMIUM and BUSINESS unlock all 50+ languages.
Wait for AI to process
The app extracts audio from your video, sends it to Whisper AI for transcription, then translates with Claude AI. Status updates in real time:
EXTRACTING AUDIO → TRANSCRIBING → TRANSLATING → DONE ✓
Export your subtitles
When done, four export options appear at the bottom:
EXPORT .SRT FOR YOUTUBE
Standard subtitle file. Works on YouTube, Vimeo, and most video players. Use the REELS toggle first for TikTok/Instagram (shorter lines).
EXPORT .VTT
Web subtitle format. Use this for online video players, Vimeo, or embedding video on a website.
EXPORT LANGUAGES
Translate and download subtitles in multiple languages at once. All files are bundled into a single ZIP download.
EXPORT AS ARTICLE
Converts your transcript into clean readable prose — ready to paste into a blog, newsletter, or Notion. Choose any language.
EXPORT AS TEXT (.TXT)
Plain text transcript with no timestamps — ideal for podcast show notes, scripts, or feeding into other tools. Available in Podcast mode.
💾 SAVE PROJECT
Downloads a .urltosub file with all your subtitle segments. Open it later via OPEN PROJECT to restore everything instantly — no re-transcription needed. Nothing stored on our servers.
Platform toggle — YouTube, Reels, Podcast
In the top right of the app, choose your platform before uploading. This changes how subtitles are formatted and what the export button says — so you always know exactly what you're getting.
FOR YOUTUBE
Standard lines. Horizontal video. YouTube, Vimeo, desktop players.
FOR REELS
Lines wrapped at 40 chars. Vertical video. TikTok, Instagram Reels, Shorts.
+ EXPORT .TXT
Unlocks plain text export. Audio-only files (MP3, WAV, M4A). No video needed.
AI Tools — after your video is done
Once your video has been transcribed, the TOOLS ▼ menu unlocks AI-powered extras. All tools read your transcript automatically — no copy-pasting needed.
Timestamped markers → paste into YouTube description
Title + description + tags + hashtags + thumbnail text → downloads as METADATA.txt
3 opening hooks → each has a COPY button — click to copy directly to clipboard
3–5 shareable moments with timestamps → each has a COPY button
Subject line + intro + body + CTA → downloads as .txt
✍️ SCRIPT CLEANER
Paste any rough text or transcript — Claude removes filler words, repetitions, and fixes flow. Ready to record or publish.
🎬 YOUTUBE CHAPTERS
Auto-generates timestamped chapter markers from your transcript. Copy and paste directly into your YouTube video description.
🚀 LAUNCH KIT
Generates a full YouTube launch package: SEO title, description, tags, hashtags, and thumbnail text options — all from your transcript. Downloads as METADATA.txt.
⚡ HOOK GENERATOR PRO+
3 alternative opening hooks written from your transcript. Each hook has a COPY button — tap to copy directly to your clipboard. No selecting text needed.
✂️ CLIP SUGGESTIONS PRO+
Identifies 3–5 most shareable moments with exact timestamps. Each suggestion has a COPY button so you can paste the timestamp straight into your editing timeline.
✉️ EMAIL NEWSLETTER PRO+
Converts your transcript into a ready-to-send newsletter: subject line, intro, body sections, and a CTA. Each section has a COPY button, plus a COPY ALL button to grab everything at once. Different from the article export — formatted for email.
🌐 TEXT TRANSLATOR
Translate any text to 50+ languages. Doesn't require a video — paste any text and translate instantly.
✏️ SUBTITLE EDITOR PRO+
Edit individual subtitle lines directly in the app. Merge, delete, search, and fix timing errors before exporting.
🔄 RE-TRANSLATE PRO+
After transcription, translate to an additional language without re-uploading your file. Uses 1 minute per re-translate.
Getting the most from AI Creator Tools
The TOOLS ▼ menu unlocks after your video is done. Here's how to use each tool effectively.
⚡ HOOK GENERATOR PRO+
Generates 3 alternative opening lines for your video. Each hook has a COPY button — tap it and the text goes straight to your clipboard. Use the hook as your video's first spoken sentence or as a social caption.
✂️ CLIP SUGGESTIONS PRO+
Finds 3–5 of the most shareable moments in your video with timestamps. Each suggestion shows the timestamp hint (early/middle/late), a quote, and why it works. Hit COPY to grab the timestamp + quote for your editor or social post.
✉️ EMAIL NEWSLETTER PRO+
Turns your transcript into a complete newsletter: subject line, intro paragraph, body, and call to action. Each section has its own COPY button. Hit COPY ALL at the bottom to grab everything at once — ready to paste into Mailchimp, Beehiiv, or any email tool.
🔄 RE-TRANSLATE PRO+
After transcription, translate to an additional language without re-uploading. Open TOOLS → Re-translate → pick a new language → tap TRANSLATE. Uses 1 minute per run. Repeat as many times as you need — one upload, any number of languages.
✏️ SUBTITLE EDITOR PRO+
Click any subtitle line to edit it directly. Use the merge icon to combine two short lines, the delete icon to remove a segment. Search bar at the top to jump to any word. Changes are saved automatically — export when done.
🚀 LAUNCH KIT
Generates your full YouTube upload package in one click: SEO title (3 options), description, hashtags, pinned comment, and thumbnail text ideas. Downloads as METADATA.txt. Run this right after transcription — it reads your transcript automatically.
How to add subtitles to your video
Once you have your .srt file, here's how to upload it to the platforms your audience uses.
YouTube
RECOMMENDED- 01Go to studio.youtube.com and click on the video you want to add subtitles to.
- 02In the left sidebar, click Subtitles.
- 03Click Add language and select the language of your subtitle file.
- 04Under the Subtitles column, click Add → then Upload file.
- 05Select your .srt file — YouTube reads the timestamps automatically. Click Save.
- 06Subtitles go live within a few minutes. Repeat for each language — YouTube supports unlimited subtitle tracks.
Instagram Reels & Stories
Instagram does not support .srt file uploads directly. The standard workflow is to burn the subtitles into the video before uploading. Here's how:
- 01Export your .srt file from UrlToSub. Make sure you used REELS mode (40-char wrap) for vertical video — the subtitles will fit the screen correctly.
- 02Open your video in a video editor — CapCut (free, mobile/desktop) or DaVinci Resolve (free, desktop) both support .srt import.
- 03CapCut: Tap Text → Auto Captions → Import → choose your .srt file. Style and position as needed.
- 04DaVinci Resolve: In the Edit page, right-click your timeline → Import Subtitle → select your .srt. Drag it to the subtitle track.
- 05Export the video with subtitles burned in, then upload directly to Instagram as a Reel.
TikTok
- 01TikTok supports .srt uploads on the desktop web uploader only (not the mobile app). Go to tiktok.com/upload.
- 02Upload your video, then scroll down to the Captions section. Click Upload captions and select your .srt file.
- 03TikTok auto-generates captions too — but they're often inaccurate. Uploading your own .srt gives you full control over what viewers see.
- 04For mobile uploads, burn subtitles using CapCut first (same as Instagram workflow above).
YouTube Creators
Subtitles in 50+ languages, auto-chapters, SEO titles and descriptions, hook suggestions, clip timestamps for Shorts.
Podcasters
Full episode transcription, show notes export, chapter markers, plain text transcript for your website.
Educators & Teachers
Translate lectures for international students, subtitle course videos, export transcripts as study materials.
Agencies & Freelancers
Subtitle client videos in bulk, multi-language exports, consistent formatting across projects.
Social Media Managers
Subtitle Reels and TikToks, generate captions, repurpose long-form video into short clips.
Corporate Trainers
Subtitle training videos for global teams, translate onboarding materials into multiple languages.
Journalists & Documentarians
Transcribe interviews quickly, translate source material, generate accurate subtitles for footage.
Students & Researchers
Transcribe recorded lectures, interviews, and fieldwork audio. Export as plain text for notes.
Also used by conference organizers, churches, e-commerce teams, coaches, and Twitch streamers.
Is my video uploaded to your servers?
No. Your video is processed entirely in your browser. Only the extracted audio is sent to our transcription service, and only the subtitle text is sent for translation. Your video file never leaves your computer.
Can I get subtitles in the same language as my video?
Yes — just pick the same language as your video. The app transcribes the speech into text without translating. You get an exact subtitle file of what was said, ready to upload to YouTube.
What's the difference between .SRT and .VTT?
.SRT works everywhere — YouTube, Vimeo, most video players and editing software. .VTT is for web-based players. When in doubt, use .SRT.
What if the transcription is wrong?
AI transcription isn't perfect. For best results use videos with clear speech and minimal background noise. If the result is poor, press RETRY — your video is still loaded and you don't need to upload it again.
My video is very long — will it work?
Yes. The app automatically splits large audio files into chunks and processes them sequentially. Videos up to 2GB and several hours long are supported. You'll see a chunk progress indicator (e.g. "CHUNK 2/4") while it works — no action needed from you.
The app is not loading
Make sure you're using Chrome or Edge. If you have a browser extension like AdGuard or uBlock Origin, try disabling it for this site — these can interfere with the video processing engine. The app needs a few seconds on first load.
Can I use this for podcasts?
Yes. Switch to Podcast mode using the toggle in the top right before uploading. It's optimised for audio-only files (MP3, WAV, M4A) and unlocks plain text (.TXT) export — perfect for show notes, transcripts, and blog posts. Your video never leaves your computer.
Can I translate to more languages after transcription?
Yes — PRO, PREMIUM and BUSINESS users can use Re-translate from the TOOLS menu after a video is done. Pick a new language and it translates without re-uploading. Each re-translate uses 1 minute from your balance.
Can I use this for free?
Yes. The FREE tier gives you 30 minutes per month with no account needed. No watermarks, no credit card required. Videos longer than 30 minutes are blocked on the FREE tier — upgrade to PRO (79 SEK/month — launch price) or buy a Minute Pack for longer content.
I lost my license key — how do I get it back?
Go to the pricing section on the landing page and scroll to "Lost your key?". Enter the email you used at checkout and we'll resend it automatically. No support ticket needed.
Can I use my license on multiple devices?
Yes — one key works on up to 5 devices. Minutes are shared across all devices. Just activate the same key on each browser or computer you use.
What browsers are supported?
Chrome and Edge work best. Firefox and Safari may have issues with the video processing engine. If you're on Safari, try Chrome — it's free and takes 30 seconds to install.
Can I save my project and come back to it later?
Yes. After transcription, open the EXPORT ▼ menu and click Save Project. This downloads a small .urltosub file — just subtitle text, no video. Next time, click OPEN PROJECT next to the upload button to restore everything instantly. Nothing is stored on our servers.
The AI Tools failed on my long video — do I need to re-upload?
No. The subtitle segments stay loaded in your browser tab as long as you keep it open. Just click the tool again to retry — no re-upload or re-transcription needed. If you closed the tab, use Open Project to restore your work from a saved .urltosub file.
Why does my minute balance show the full amount after reloading?
Your balance is cached locally for fast page loads. It updates after each transcription job. To see your exact live balance, open the ACTIVATE LICENSE panel and re-activate — this fetches the latest balance from the server.
Occasional use, short videos under 30 min, Scandinavian or English content. No key needed — just open and go.
Regular creator. Need all 50+ languages, ZIP export, subtitle editor, and re-translate. 300 min/month.
Heavy user or podcaster. 1200 min/month with rollover — unused minutes carry into next month.
One-off project, no subscription. Minutes never expire. Pick 150, 400, or 1000 min.
Maximum file size is 2GB. Files are automatically split into chunks so you don't need to edit them manually.
We've tested files up to ~1 hour reliably. Longer files (up to ~3 hours) are supported in theory — the app will warn you and ask to confirm before proceeding. Keep the tab open and your connection stable for long jobs.
FREE tier: Videos over 30 minutes are blocked. Upgrade or use a Minute Pack for longer content.
Ready to transcribe?
Free to start. No account needed. Your video never leaves your computer.
TRANSCRIBE FREE →