Get a YouTube transcript for free
Paste a YouTube video link, retrieve its available captions and copy or download the text for notes, articles or summaries.
The interface language does not translate captions. The transcript keeps the language of the retrieved track; your requested language may not be available.
Today we will explore three practical strategies you can use straight away...
The first is using captions to improve understanding.
[...] Your retrieved transcript will appear below after you submit a video link.
How to get a YouTube transcript
Copy the video link
- Open YouTube, find your video and copy its full URL from the address bar (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...).
Paste the link
- Open the YouTube transcript tool and paste the link in the field at the top.
Click Get the transcript
- Click the button to retrieve the available captions.
Wait for the captions
- Retrieving captions: The tool will retrieve the caption track. The time required depends on the availability of captions and the service response.
Read the transcript below the video
- Your transcript: The text appears in the transcript box. Use the buttons to copy it or download a TXT file.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free?
Yes. The transcript tool is free and does not require a subscription or payment details.
Does it work with private videos?
No. The tool works with public YouTube videos that have accessible captions, either manually created or automatically generated.
Can I use the transcript to create subtitles?
The transcript is plain text. You can use it as a starting point for subtitles, but timings must be added and checked separately.
How long does it take?
Retrieval usually takes a few seconds, but it can take longer depending on caption availability and the response from YouTube.
Can I copy or download the text?
Yes. Once the transcript is retrieved, you can copy it to the clipboard or download it as a TXT file directly from this page.
How accurate is the transcript?
Accuracy depends on the captions available on YouTube. Both manual and automatic captions can contain errors, particularly in names and technical terms. Check important passages against the video.
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