Online Transcription: Every Recording Format, One Workflow

ForgeFile transcribes every common audio and video format - MP3, WAV, MP4, AVI, MOV, SRT, VTT, and more. The first choice is simply where to start - your file's format, or what you recorded. Browse the format and workflow pages below to find the right one.

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Definition

What is Audio & Video Transcription?

Audio transcription converts speech in an audio or video file into written text, usually with timestamps and speaker labels, and exports to SRT, VTT or plain text.

  • Review your transcript
  • Speaker Recognition
  • Results in Minutes

Audio & Video Transcription workflows

Choose the exact file type, content type or workflow your team needs. Each page is optimized around a concrete task.

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Audio & Video Transcription specialized workflows

Nested pages for language pairs and document-type specific workflows.

How Online Transcription Works - 4 Simple Steps

  1. 1

    Upload your audio or video file (MP3, MP4, WAV, MOV, or 15+ other formats)

  2. 2

    Select transcription options - speaker recognition, timestamps, subtitle format

  3. 3

    AI processes your file and produces a formatted transcript in minutes

  4. 4

    Download your transcript (TXT, DOCX) or subtitle file (SRT, VTT) instantly

Platform specifications

Audio & Video Transcription platform specifications

Service Category Audio & Video Transcription
Layout & Formatting Preservation Timestamps, punctuation and optional speaker labels
Maximum File Size The maximum file size depends on your plan.
Security Files are encrypted in transit and at rest.
Language Coverage Language support
Export Options TXT, DOCX, SRT, VTT

Popular Formats for Transcription

Why Choose ForgeFile for Audio & Video Transcription?

This is the transcription category, not a single tool. Below are dedicated pages for every audio format (MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, AAC, OGG, WMA, AMR), every video format (MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV), and both subtitle formats (SRT, VTT) ForgeFile supports - plus workflow pages for common recording types. Pick the page that matches what you actually have, and you land on the export options built for it.

Start from Your File's Format

If you already know what you're working with, go straight to its page: MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, AAC, OGG, WMA, AMR for audio, or MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV for video. Each format page is set up for that file type, from codec support to compression.

Or Start from What You Recorded

Not sure which format page applies? Start from the recording type instead. ForgeFile has dedicated workflow pages for interviews, lectures, phone calls, podcasts, and Zoom meetings - each built around how that kind of recording is usually structured.

Video or Audio?

Video transcription extracts the audio track before running speech recognition, so a video file takes an extra step that an audio file doesn't need. If your file is video, use the video transcription page rather than the audio one - it accounts for that extraction step.

Transcript or Subtitles?

A transcript and a subtitle file solve different problems. If you need a document to read, search, or archive, use one of the format pages above. If you need captions timed to a video for YouTube, Vimeo, or another platform, use the SRT or VTT page instead - those export time-synced subtitle files rather than a plain transcript.

Still not sure where to start? The audio and video pages cover file formats; the workflow pages cover recording types. Either route leads to the same transcription engine, just tuned to get you there faster.

For guidance on when a written transcript is needed for accessibility, see the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative's transcript guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions - Online Transcription

How accurate is AI transcription?

Accuracy depends on the recording's audio quality rather than whether the source is audio or video - video transcription extracts the audio track first, then transcribes it the same way. Pick the audio or video page above for your file and expect the same accuracy either way.

How long does transcription take?

Most files are transcribed in 2–5 minutes regardless of length. A one-hour recording typically returns a transcript within 3–4 minutes. Processing time depends on file size and server load, but results are always delivered well within the same session.

What audio and video formats are supported?

Every format has its own page in this category. Audio: MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, AAC, OGG, AMR, WMA. Video: MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV. If you need captions rather than a document, use the SRT or VTT page instead.

Can the service identify multiple speakers?

Yes - speaker diarization is available on every audio and video page in this category, not just one format. Choose the format or workflow page that matches your file to use it.

What subtitle formats can I export?

SRT and VTT are separate pages in this category, not settings within a transcript page. Use the SRT page for compatibility with most video players and editing software, or the VTT page for HTML5 web video and platforms like YouTube. If you need a document rather than captions, use one of the format pages above instead.

Is my audio or video data kept private?

Yes. Every page in this category - audio, video, subtitle, and use-case workflows alike - encrypts files in transit and deletes them after processing.

Do I need to create an account to transcribe?

A free account takes under a minute - no credit card required. The free plan lets you transcribe short files at no cost, and a paid plan unlocks longer files, batch processing, and transcript history.

Can I transcribe files in languages other than English?

Yes. Language detection is automatic, or you can select the language manually for best results. Check language support before submitting your file.

Guides for this workflow

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Audio & Video Transcription file processing

Upload a file, choose the workflow, and get structured output your team can use immediately.

Transcribe a Recording