Free YouTube Transcript Extractor & Subtitle Downloader

Free online YouTube transcript downloader: copy, save, or download transcript and subtitle text. No signup required, no daily limits. Simply paste URL or video ID below. Available Download Formats: TXT, MD, SRT, WebVTT.

YouTube Transcript Downloader with video player, transcript split by chapter, and copy or download options
Jump to tool

Paste the YouTube video link below.

Works as a caption-based transcript generator (not AI speech recognition). Videos with captions disabled or restricted might return no results. Use in line with YouTube's Terms of Service.

Summarize YouTube videos in seconds + AI Chat

  1. Step 1: Install the Chrome Extension from the Chrome Web Store.Install SkipBait from the Chrome Web Store
  2. Step 2: Open any YouTube video, log in and get an instant AI summary bundle, timestamped outline, and AI chat with web search.
    SkipBait AI summary bundle on YouTubeSkipBait timestamped outline on YouTubeSkipBait AI chat with web search on YouTube
Free Plan — Install on Chrome

How to Download a YouTube Transcript

Paste the YouTube video URL into the tool above and click Run tool. Once the transcript loads, click Download to save it as a plain text, Markdown, SRT, or WebVTT file — no account required, no daily limits.

How to get a YouTube transcript

➡️ YouTube's built-in transcript panel

On desktop, open More in the description, then Show transcript for a panel you can skim but not export to a file.

➡️ SkipBait Chrome extension

Visit YouTube watch page with the YouTube transcript extension installed, click Generate transcript right next to the video. You can then copy, download or export the transcript directly from YouTube.

➡️ The tool on this page

Paste YouTube URL or video ID in the tool above, click Run tool, then copy or download the YouTube transcript or subtitles in the supported formats.

How to download subtitles and captions?

YouTube shows captions on screen but does not let you save or download them as a file. To download a YouTube transcript or timed subtitles:

  1. Paste the YouTube URL or video ID into the tool above
  2. Pick the caption language from the tracks available or exposed by YouTube for that video.
  3. Choose a format: plain text, Markdown, SRT, or WebVTT. Use the Copy or Download options to export the transcript or subtitles.

YouTube to text: turn captions into a transcript

If you are looking to convert a YouTube video to text or transcribe a video to text, this tool does that by exporting caption text YouTube already has, it is not a separate speech-to-text engine.

Use the same paste-and-run flow as above, then copy or download plain text or Markdown for reading and notes, or SRT/WebVTT if you need timed cues. That workflow covers youtube to text, youtube video to text, and transcript-style exports for study, quotes, and accessibility.

YouTube Chapter Downloader: Get Chapters with Timestamps

This tool works as a YouTube chapter downloader and chapter extractor: it pulls the video's chapter titles and timestamps alongside the transcript, so you can download both together with no account required. Handy for long interviews, courses, and podcasts. Need a TL;DR and outline on the watch page instead of a full export? Try the free YouTube video summarizer.

  1. Paste a YouTube URL or video ID into the tool above
  2. Wait for the transcript or captions to load
  3. Pick a Group by option (No grouping, chapter, word count, or time interval), then use Copy / Download options for export.

Not every video has chapters, only when the creator adds them or YouTube surfaces them. If there are no chapters, you still get the full transcript whenever captions are available.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a transcript, subtitles, or chapters from a YouTube video?
Yes, with the tool above, you can get a transcript of a YouTube video when it has captions enabled. Simply paste the video URL or ID, then select a Copy or Download Transcript option. If chapters exists for the video, you can choose to download transcript with chapters. If captions are missing or turned off, the tool would not generate transcript or subtitles as we do not currently offer transcription services.
Is this a free YouTube transcript generator?
Yes. The web tool above is a free YouTube transcript downloader and transcript generator. Simply paste a video URL to get the transcript from YouTube caption tracks. No signup required, no daily limits. Works for video with captions.
How do I save or download a YouTube transcript?
With the tool above, paste the video URL, run the tool, then select a Copy or Download option. Choose plain text, Markdown, SRT, or WebVTT under Plain Transcript. That is how you save or download the full transcript outside YouTube. If you want to be able to do so directly from YouTube, you can use the SkipBait Chrome extension.
What if a YouTube video has no subtitles or captions?
Most YouTube videos have auto-generated or creator-uploaded captions or subtitles; The tool above would not generate transcript or subtitles if captions are missing or turned off. If no transcript or subtitles are generated above, you would have to opt for other transcription tools.
How do I find, open, or read the transcript on YouTube?
On desktop, click the More (⋯) button in the description, then click Show transcript, that opens the transcript panel beside or under the video; pick a caption language if offered. If you want to read while watching, leave the panel open; the active line follows playback. That view is for skimming, not saving the full script. To view or export the full transcript, use the tool at the top of this page.
How do I copy a YouTube transcript on my phone?
Open this page in your mobile browser, paste the video URL or ID in the tool above and click Run tool, then select a Copy or Download transcript option.
What formats can I copy or download?
Plain text, Markdown, SRT, and WebVTT. You can choose the suitable Group by option for the output shape: with timestamps grouped by word count, time interval, or chapter (available when the creator has defined chapters in the video), or choose No grouping for plain transcript text without timestamps. SRT and WebVTT always include cue-level timing.
Is there a YouTube transcript Chrome extension?
Yes. SkipBait is a Chrome extension that generates transcripts on the watch page for free. Prefer a standalone downloader? Use the web tool above. Want AI summaries instead? Try the extension demo here.
What is the difference between subtitles and captions?
They are used interchangeably, but subtitles are often used for translations.
Can I download YouTube chapters?
Yes. The tool pulls the video's chapter timestamps along with the transcript, so you can download both together as a chaptered transcript — no account required. Use the Group by chapter option after running the tool.