YouTube to Transcript
Most YouTube videos already have captions, either uploaded by the creator or generated automatically by YouTube. A transcript tool reads that caption track and gives it back to you as text you can search, copy, and download. You don't have to watch the whole video or type anything out.
Get a transcript on TubeToTranscript →Three steps from link to text
- Copy the video link. On a computer, copy it from the address bar. In the YouTube app, tap Share → Copy link. Shorts links work too.
- Paste it into TubeToTranscript. The caption track loads in a few seconds, with a timestamp on every line.
- Search, copy, or download. Pick a caption language if the video has more than one, then export in the format you need.
Which format should you pick?
| Format | Best for |
|---|---|
| TXT | Reading, notes, and pasting into documents or AI assistants |
| SRT / VTT | Subtitles for video editors, players, and course platforms |
| Markdown | Notes in Obsidian or Notion, with a source link and timestamps |
| JSON / CSV | Developers, spreadsheets, and data analysis |
When a video has no transcript
- The creator turned captions off, and YouTube didn't generate any.
- The video is music or has no speech, so there's nothing to caption.
- It was uploaded very recently, and automatic captions are still processing.
- It's private, removed, or restricted.
Auto-generated captions can mishear names and numbers. Check anything you plan to quote against the video at its timestamp.
It's free to use and you don't need an account. Paste a link on tubetotranscript.com to try it.