Drop in a link
Use a public YouTube video or Short with captions. We find the subtitle tracks already available for it.
YOUTUBE TRANSCRIPTS & SUBTITLES
YouTube Transcript & Subtitle Downloader
Turn a YouTube video's captions into text. Choose a language, copy the transcript, or download subtitles.
TXT plain textSRT subtitlesVTT web captionsJSON timed data
Choose your language
Auto-translations use the video's existing captions and may contain mistakes. They can take around two minutes to become ready.
Results are temporary. If they expire, submit the video link again.
FROM WATCHING TO WORKING
How to get the transcript of a YouTube video
Pick a language
Original captions come first. Search the list for a translation, or preview the transcript before saving.
Make it useful
Copy plain text for your notes. Save SRT or VTT for an editor, or JSON for a project with timestamps.
Subtitles or a plain-text transcript?
Use TXT to read, search or take notes from a video. SRT and VTT keep the timing so you can add captions in a video editor or player. JSON contains the timed segments for your own tools. Preview any available language before downloading, and switch timestamps on when you need to find a moment in the video.
The tool retrieves existing creator captions, automatic captions and available automatic translations. It does not generate new speech transcriptions. Language availability depends on the video; translations can take longer and may contain mistakes.
Want the video or audio as well? Open the YouTube video downloader.
Copy a YouTube transcript with or without timestamps
Select Preview on a language to read the whole transcript. It opens as plain text without timestamps; switch on Show timestamps to add the time of each line. Select Copy text to paste it into your notes, a document or an AI assistant, or save it as a TXT file.
Need captions that stay in sync with the video? Download SRT or VTT. For your own scripts or data projects, JSON keeps every segment with its start and end time.
Transcripts in other languages
Original captions are listed first. Many videos also offer automatic translations into dozens of languages: search the list, preview the translation and download it in the same formats. Automatic translations and automatic captions can contain mistakes, so check names and technical terms.
Does this create subtitles for videos without captions?
No. This tool retrieves captions that are already available on YouTube. It does not transcribe the audio. Some public videos have no downloadable captions.
What is the difference between the caption types?
Creator captions are supplied by the uploader. Automatic captions are generated from the spoken audio. Auto-translations translate an existing track, so names, dialects and technical words may need correction.
Which format should I choose?
TXT is plain text without timestamps. SRT works with most subtitle editors and players. VTT is made for web captions. JSON includes each segment with its start and end time in seconds.
Can I get a transcript with timestamps?
Yes. In the preview, switch on Show timestamps before copying or saving the text. SRT, VTT and JSON files always include the timing.
Does it work with YouTube Shorts?
Yes, when the Short has captions. Paste its link like any other video.
Is the transcript accurate?
Creator captions are usually the most accurate. Automatic captions are generated by YouTube from the audio and can contain errors, especially with names, accents or background noise.
Can I use a live stream or a private video?
Active live streams and private videos are not supported. A completed broadcast may work once YouTube has finished processing its captions.