YouTube to Transcript
Paste any YouTube link and get the full transcript in seconds. We grab the captions instantly — or AI-transcribe the audio when there aren't any. Timestamps and TXT/SRT/VTT export included. Free.
Build with our YouTube to Transcript API
Integrate our high-speed conversion engine directly into your own applications. Get free api keys for youtube transcript api and more.
Instant Caption Extraction
If the video has captions, we pull them straight from YouTube in seconds — no waiting, no cost, full accuracy.
AI Transcription Fallback
No captions? We transcribe the audio with OpenAI Whisper so you still get an accurate, punctuated transcript.
Timestamps & Subtitles
Toggle timestamps and export ready-to-use SRT and VTT subtitle files — perfect for captioning and repurposing.
How to Transcribe a YouTube Video
- 1
Paste the YouTube URL
Copy the video link (watch, youtu.be, or /shorts/) and paste it into the box.
- 2
Choose a language
Leave it on Auto/English or pick a preferred caption language.
- 3
Get transcript
Click Get Transcript. We fetch the captions instantly, or AI-transcribe the audio if none exist.
- 4
Copy or download
Copy the text, toggle timestamps, or export as TXT, SRT, or VTT.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a transcript from a YouTube video?
Paste the video URL (a normal watch link, a youtu.be short link, or a /shorts/ link) and click Get Transcript. We instantly pull the video’s caption track, or transcribe the audio with AI if no captions exist, and give you the full text plus timestamps.
Is the YouTube transcript tool free?
Yes, it is completely free and requires no account. Paste a link and get the transcript with copy and TXT / SRT / VTT download.
Does it work on YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Shorts, regular videos, and live replays are all supported — just paste the URL.
What if the video has no captions?
When a video has no caption track, we download the audio and transcribe it with OpenAI Whisper (for videos up to 45 minutes). The result badge shows whether the text came from captions or AI transcription.
Can I download subtitles (SRT / VTT)?
Yes. Every transcript includes timing, so you can export it as an SRT or VTT subtitle file, or as plain text (TXT).
Why did I get a “YouTube is blocking automated access” message?
YouTube sometimes rate-limits or challenges automated requests from data-center servers for certain videos. This is intermittent — trying again later often works. Alternatively, download the audio and use our MP3 to Transcript tool to upload it directly.
What languages are supported?
Caption transcripts are available in whatever languages the video provides, and AI transcription supports 90+ languages with auto-detection. Pick a preferred language from the dropdown.