How to use this YouTube transcript generator
- Paste a YouTube link into the box above. A full watch link, youtu.be URL, Shorts URL or 11-character video ID is accepted.
- Select Get Transcript. The tool looks for caption tracks and loads the original-language result.
- If another track is available, choose it under Language / track. The text reloads with your selection.
Copy text or choose a download
To copy a YouTube transcript without timestamps, select Plain text, then Copy text. Keep Timestamps selected for time-labeled copying.
Copying and downloads use the whole loaded track. Line selection sets a clip range. To keep a written excerpt, remove the other text in your editor.
The YouTube transcript downloader keeps timing in TXT and SRT, regardless of the view.
| Option | What you get | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Plain text + Copy text | Text without time labels | Notes and documents |
| Download TXT | Text with time labels | Reading and time references |
| Download SRT | Numbered captions with start/end times | Timed subtitles |
| Download JSON | Structured transcript data | Your own software |
If Copy text fails, download TXT and remove its time labels in your editor. Keep the video link with your YouTube video transcript for reference.
Use your transcript on iPhone, Android or desktop
Open this page in your browser and paste the video link. Use the same copy or download controls after the captions load.
- iPhone: After a Safari download finishes, look in Safari's Downloads list or the Downloads folder in Files.
- Android: In Chrome, look under Downloads or open Files to find a saved transcript.
- Desktop: Copy the words into your notes, or save a file to open in another application.
If the transcript is missing or has mistakes
This YouTube transcript extractor needs an accessible caption track. Public videos can lack usable captions; private, removed or restricted videos may be unavailable.
Check that the link opens on YouTube and read the error message. For provider or connection errors, try again later. If a long lecture or interview keeps failing, contact support with the video link and error.
In Language / track, "(subtitles)" marks a manual subtitle track. An "(original, auto)" label marks original automatic captions. YouTube's automatic captions can mishear speech. Check names, numbers and quotations against the video before using them. Extraction does not correct caption errors.
Only use material you own or have permission to use. See the Privacy Policy for information about data handling.
Turn a caption passage into a clip
Select the passage's first caption line, then its last. Choose Open selection in cutter. The YouTube video cutter opens with the same video and time range filled in.
Preview the timing and adjust it before creating the clip. The step-by-step cutter guide explains the full workflow.
Transcript questions
Can I edit the transcript on this page?
No. Copy or save the transcript, then edit it in your own document or text editor. Check corrections against the video. Editing your copy does not change YouTube's captions.
Can I translate a YouTube transcript?
The language menu selects existing caption tracks; it does not create a translation. If you need another language, export the text for a separate translation tool and review its result.