YouTube Transcript Downloader
Get a YouTube transcript by URL: copy the text of any video, with or without timestamps, or save it as TXT, SRT or VTT.
More YouTube tools
Save the video, a Short or its caption files with our other free YouTube tools.
How to Get a YouTube Transcript
Turn any YouTube video into text in three simple steps — nothing to install.
Copy the YouTube Video Link
Open the video in the YouTube app or on the web, tap Share and choose Copy link.
Paste the Link
Paste the link into the box above and press Submit. youtu.be and Shorts links work too.
Copy or Download the Transcript
Pick a language, then press Copy Transcript, or choose a format and press Download Transcript.
YouTube Transcript Downloader: What to Know
Good to know before you turn a YouTube video into text.
This YouTube transcript downloader gets the full transcript of any public YouTube video in seconds: paste its link and the text appears on the page, ready to read, copy or save — with no app and no sign-up.
The transcript comes from the video's captions. Many creators upload their own, and YouTube makes automatic captions for most videos with speech, so most talks, lessons, interviews and podcasts have a transcript to show. Shorts and youtu.be links work too.
Turn on Show timestamps to see when each line is said, or leave it off for clean text that reads like a script. Copy Transcript puts all of it on your clipboard in one click, ready to paste into a chatbot or AI tool to summarise or translate, or into your notes.
You can also download the transcript as a TXT file, or as SRT or VTT subtitles with every line timed. Many videos have captions in several languages; pick the one you want from the list.
A video without captions has no transcript to show: videos with no speech, and videos whose captions are turned off, can't be turned into text. Only public videos work; private videos can't be read.
To save the caption files exactly as YouTube publishes them, use the YouTube Subtitle Downloader.
YouTube Transcript Downloader: Why Use This Tool
The quickest way to turn a YouTube video into text — free, with no sign-up.
Timestamps On or Off
Shows the time of every line, or hides it for clean text that reads like a script.
One-Click Copy
The whole YouTube transcript copies in one click, ready to paste into notes, a document or an AI chatbot.
TXT, SRT & VTT
Supports plain-text transcripts as well as SRT and VTT subtitle files with every line timed.
High Speed
YouTube transcripts are ready in seconds, even for long talks and lessons.
Works on All Devices
Works on iPhone, iPad, Android and computers, right in the browser with no app to install.
Multiple Languages
Captions come in the original language, plus other languages when they are available.
Frequently asked questions
Help with getting YouTube transcripts.
How do I get a YouTube transcript?
Copy the YouTube link, paste it here and press Submit. The transcript appears on the page, where you can copy it or download it.
How do I download a YouTube transcript?
Choose TXT, SRT or VTT in the Format list and press Download Transcript. TXT is the text only; SRT and VTT keep the time of every line.
Can I get a YouTube transcript with timestamps?
Yes. Turn on Show timestamps to see the time of each line. The copied text and the TXT file include them too.
Does it work with auto-generated captions?
Yes. When a video only has YouTube's automatic captions, the transcript is made from those, so most videos with speech can be turned into text.
Can I get the transcript of a YouTube Short?
Yes. Paste the Short's link the same way. youtube.com/shorts and youtu.be links both work.
Can I use a YouTube transcript with an AI chatbot?
Yes. Press Copy Transcript and paste the text into any chatbot to summarise it, translate it or ask questions about the video.
Why is there no transcript for some videos?
The transcript comes from the video's captions. Videos with no speech, and videos whose captions are turned off, have none, so there is nothing to show.
Can I get the transcript in another language?
Yes, when the video has captions in other languages. Every language it has is listed, and you can switch between them.
Is this YouTube transcript downloader free?
Yes. It is completely free, with no limit, no sign-up and no Google login.