How to Get a Transcript from a YouTube Video (Free)
A YouTube transcript is closer than it looks. Depending on the video, you can read it straight from YouTube, generate a timed transcript from the link, or type it out yourself — here is when each method is worth it.
Three ways to get a transcript from a YouTube video
| YouTube's Show transcript tool | Built into the app and website · Best for a quick read · One plain text block, formatting lost on copy |
|---|---|
| AI transcriber from the link | Paste the video URL, no download needed · Returns a timed SRT file · Works even when the video has no captions |
| Manual transcription | Play the video and type along · Highest control over wording · Impractical for anything longer than a few minutes |
Method 1: use YouTube's built-in transcript
- Open the video and expand the description, then choose Show transcript (on mobile, tap the description and look for the transcript option).
- The transcript panel opens beside the player and follows the audio as it plays.
- You can toggle timestamps and copy the text out, but the copy is a plain block — no per-line timing and, for auto-generated captions, usually no punctuation.
- Not every video has a transcript: it depends on captions existing, either uploaded by the creator or auto-generated by YouTube.
Method 2: generate a timed transcript from the link
If you need the transcript as subtitles — or the video has no usable captions — an AI transcriber is the faster route. On the DramaSub YouTube transcriber you paste the video link (youtube.com/watch, youtu.be or a Shorts link), the service pulls the audio track itself, and a speech recognition model writes the transcript.
The result is an SRT file: every line of speech timestamped to the second. That means you can load it as subtitles, open it in a subtitle editor, or copy the text into a document. It handles around 90 languages, auto-detects the spoken language, and typically takes a few minutes for a 20-minute episode.
Which method should you use?
- Just want to read or search what was said: use Show transcript.
- Need subtitles for the video, or the captions are missing or in the wrong language: use the AI transcriber and download the SRT.
- Translating the video into English subtitles afterwards: start from the SRT and run it through a subtitle translator, reviewing names and timing.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free way to get a transcript from a YouTube video?
Yes. YouTube's Show transcript panel is free, and the DramaSub YouTube transcriber is also free to use — paste the link and download the SRT without paying.
Can I get a transcript if the video has no captions?
Yes. A caption-free video still has audio, and an AI transcriber can generate the transcript from that audio. YouTube's own transcript panel only appears when captions exist.
What is the difference between a transcript and subtitles?
A transcript is the text of what was said. Subtitles are that text broken into lines and timed to the video so it displays while people watch. An SRT file is both: transcript text with per-line timing.
Does copying the transcript keep the timestamps?
YouTube lets you toggle timestamps in the transcript panel, but the copied text is one plain block. A generated SRT file keeps every line attached to its timestamp, which is what editing and subtitling tools expect.