YouTube Transcript Downloader
Extract captions from any YouTube video in seconds. Read online, copy the text, or download as .txt or .srt — free, no account required.
How to Download a YouTube Transcript
Copy the Video URL
Go to YouTube, find the video you need, and copy its URL from the address bar — or tap Share → Copy Link on mobile.
Paste & Submit
Paste the URL into the input field above and click "Get Transcript." The captions are fetched in seconds.
Read, Copy, or Download
Browse the timestamped transcript right here, copy the plain text to your clipboard, or download it as a .txt or .srt file.
Everything You Need in One Tool
Instant Extraction
Transcripts are fetched in seconds — no waiting, no processing queues.
.TXT & .SRT Download
Export as clean plain text for reading, or .srt for use in video editors and media players like VLC or Premiere Pro.
Accurate Timestamps
Every line is precisely synced to the video timeline so you can jump to any moment of interest.
No Login Required
Download up to 2 transcripts per day for free — no account, no credit card, no strings attached.
Unlimited with Sign-In
Sign in with your Google account for unlimited transcript access every day.
Works on Any Device
Fully optimized for desktop and mobile — paste a link and go, from any device or browser.
Why YouTube Transcripts Matter
Read faster than you watch. The average person reads at around 250 words per minute — roughly three times faster than typical speech. Skimming a transcript to find a key insight takes seconds; scrubbing through a video takes minutes.
Turn video into written content. Transcripts are the fastest starting point for blog posts, show notes, study guides, and social media clips. Repurpose a 30-minute video into a polished article in a fraction of the time it would take to re-watch it.
Improve accessibility. Captions and transcripts make content available to viewers with hearing impairments, non-native speakers, and anyone watching in a sound-sensitive environment — broadening your reach without extra effort.
Boost your SEO. Search engines can't watch videos, but they can index text. Publishing a transcript alongside your video gives search engines more keywords to rank you for, directly improving discoverability for your content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a YouTube transcript?
A YouTube transcript is the full text of everything spoken in a video, broken into timed segments that correspond to when each word or phrase appears on screen. YouTube generates transcripts automatically using speech recognition, and some creators upload manual captions for higher accuracy.
Is it free to download YouTube transcripts?
Yes. You can download up to 2 transcripts per day for free — no account needed. Sign in with Google to unlock unlimited downloads.
What file formats can I download?
You can download transcripts as .txt (plain text — great for reading or pasting into docs) or .srt (SubRip subtitle format, compatible with most video editors and media players such as VLC, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve).
What's the difference between subtitles and a transcript?
Subtitles are timed caption data designed to be overlaid on a video (typically in .srt or .vtt format). A transcript is just the spoken text in reading order, without timing info. Our tool gives you both: a timestamped view for browsing, plus plain text export for reading or repurposing.
Why can't I get a transcript for some videos?
Transcripts are only available for videos that have captions enabled — either auto-generated by YouTube or manually uploaded by the creator. Music videos, livestream recordings with disabled captions, and very recent uploads may not yet have captions available.