iTT (iTunes Timed Text) is Apple's proprietary subtitle format based on TTML 1.0. It's the required format for delivering captions to iTunes Connect (now Apple TV+) and the native caption format in Final Cut Pro. If you're delivering video to Apple's ecosystem or editing in Final Cut, you'll work with .itt files.
The format is XML-based, similar to TTML, but with Apple-specific constraints: limited styling options, strict timing format, and a specific namespace structure. Most video editors outside the Apple ecosystem can't read .itt directly — you'll need to convert to SRT or VTT for cross-platform use.
What is an iTT file?
An .itt file is an XML document following Apple's TTML 1.0 profile. Each caption cue is a <p> element with begin and end timing attributes inside a <body><div> structure. The format supports basic styling (font, color, position) but not the full range of TTML features.
- Extension: .itt
- Base format: TTML 1.0 (XML)
- Created by: Apple
- Used in: Final Cut Pro, iTunes Connect, Apple TV+
- Styling: limited — font family, size, color, position
- Timing: HH:MM:SS:FF (frames) or HH:MM:SS.mmm (milliseconds)
How to convert iTT to SRT
Converting iTT to SRT strips the XML structure and outputs plain-text cues with timestamps. Use SoCaptions' free iTT to SRT converter — paste the .itt contents, get a clean .srt back. The conversion runs in your browser, no upload required.
- 01Open your .itt file in a text editor and copy the contents.
- 02Paste into SoCaptions' iTT to SRT converter.
- 03Download the resulting .srt file.
- 04Import into any video editor: Premiere, DaVinci, CapCut, etc.
How to convert iTT to TXT (plain text transcript)
If you need just the words without timestamps — for show notes, blog posts, or feeding to an LLM — convert iTT to TXT. The converter strips all XML markup and timing, leaving one line per cue.
When you need iTT format
- Delivering captions to iTunes Connect / Apple TV+.
- Working with Final Cut Pro's native caption workflow.
- Receiving caption files from Apple-ecosystem editors.
- Any Apple delivery spec that requires TTML 1.0 profile.
iTT vs SRT vs VTT
iTT is Apple-specific and XML-based. SRT is universal and plain-text. VTT is the web standard for HTML5 video. For most workflows outside Apple's ecosystem, convert iTT to SRT immediately — it's more portable, every editor reads it, and every platform accepts it.
Common iTT problems and fixes
- Frame-based timing (HH:MM:SS:FF) — convert to milliseconds before importing to non-Apple editors.
- Namespace errors — some older .itt files use deprecated Apple namespaces. Most converters handle this.
- Missing styling in converted output — expected. SRT and VTT don't carry iTT's styling. Restyle in your editor.
- Final Cut Pro won't import your .itt — check the XML declaration and namespace. Apple is strict about well-formed XML.
FAQ
How do I convert iTT to SRT?
Open your .itt file in a text editor, copy the XML contents, and paste them into a free iTT-to-SRT converter. The converter strips Apple's XML envelope (TTML namespace, <tt>, <body>, <div> tags) and outputs clean SubRip cues with the same timing. The resulting .srt imports into Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, and uploads to YouTube Studio.
How do I convert iTT to plain text?
Use an iTT-to-TXT converter: paste the .itt XML and get back the caption text with no timestamps and no markup — one line per cue. This is useful for show notes, blog posts, or feeding a transcript to an LLM without the XML noise.
Can Premiere Pro open .itt files?
No — Premiere Pro does not natively import .itt files. Convert to SRT or VTT first, then import via Captions → Import Captions. Final Cut Pro is the only major NLE with native .itt support.
What is the difference between iTT and TTML?
iTT (iTunes Timed Text) is a restricted profile of TTML 1.0 — it follows the same XML structure but with Apple-specific constraints: limited styling, a specific namespace, and strict timing format. TTML is the broader standard used in broadcast, IMSC, and DFXP. A TTML parser will usually read an .itt file correctly, but an .itt parser may reject general TTML with unsupported features.