Paste a public video or Shorts link to convert YouTube to text. Read the full transcript, then copy or download it.
Use this online YouTube transcript extractor to bring the spoken words from a public video or Short into one readable result.
Open the YouTube video or Short, select Share, then Copy. You can also copy the URL from your browser. Standard watch links, youtu.be share links and Shorts links are supported. Choose Bulk transcribe when you have several videos.
Paste the link above and select Get transcript. WiseTranscript retrieves an available YouTube transcript from the source. Read the result below the input and use available timestamps to check passages against the video.
Copy the YouTube transcript or download TXT for notes and quotes. Export SRT or VTT when usable timing is available. For another language, sign in and choose a target from the Original menu above your transcript.
Have a video saved on your device? Choose Upload file to transcribe an audio or video file. Sign-in required.
Transcribes spoken words, not text shown only on screen.
YouTube’s Show transcript helps you read along when captions are available. WiseTranscript brings the available words into a workspace for copying, text downloads and subtitle exports.
Transcript excerpt
Wash your hands!
First you need some soap, then scrub for 20 seconds.
If you don’t have a clock near you, then sing the ABC song.
Save your YouTube transcript as text for notes, quotes or a draft. Copy the words directly, or download TXT, SRT or VTT from the same result.
Plain text for reading, collecting quotes and reusing your transcript in notes, briefs or drafts.
Wash your hands!
00:03First you need some soap, then scrub for 20 seconds.
00:07If you don’t have a clock near you, then sing the ABC song.
Timed subtitle cues for compatible video editors, when usable timestamps are available.
Wash your hands!
00:03First you need some soap, then scrub for 20 seconds.
00:07If you don’t have a clock near you, then sing the ABC song.
Timed captions for compatible web players, when usable timestamps are available.
Wash your hands!
00:03First you need some soap, then scrub for 20 seconds.
00:07If you don’t have a clock near you, then sing the ABC song.
If a result has only approximate timing or no timestamps, use TXT or copy the text. SRT and VTT are available only when the result includes usable timing. Review the wording and timing before publishing subtitles.
Work with the words from tutorials, interviews and Shorts. A YouTube transcript gives you a readable source for notes, quotes and your next draft, without repeatedly pausing to type.
Study the spoken hook and structure of an existing Short. Read the words together before drafting your own original script.
A quote needs its context. Read an interview or explanation, then use available timestamps to check the passage in the source video.
Review a demo, review video or customer interview without relying on memory. Collect the exact spoken points for a more useful brief.
Several videos belong to the same project. Review a supported channel or multiple links before choosing which videos to transcribe.
Learn from a tutorial at your own pace. Read the explanation again, collect definitions and revisit the parts that need another look.
Find a spoken line before making a cut. A transcript with usable timestamps helps you return to the relevant moment.
Compare how you get a YouTube transcript: from pasting a link to copying text, downloading subtitles, translating and transcribing multiple videos.
| Feature |  WiseTranscript | Tactiq | Otter.ai | Rev | Notta | Descript |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube link to text | Paste a video or Shorts link | Paste a YouTube URL | Import an audio or video file | Upload a file or supported media URL | Paste a YouTube URL | Import the video into a project |
| Getting started | Free daily allowance. Try without signing up. | No email for the transcript tool | Free account; limited file imports | Free monthly AI minutes; account required | Free YouTube web tool; no signup | Free account; editor workflow |
| Copy & download | Copy text; TXT, SRT & VTT with usable timing | Copy text; TXT download | TXT on Basic; SRT on paid plans | TXT, SRT & VTT | Free web transcript; workspace exports on Pro+ | TXT, SRT & VTT from the editor |
| Transcript translation | 187 language & regional options; copy & export | Separate AI workflows | AI Chat translation workflow | Side-by-side translation on Pro and above | 40+ languages on Pro and above | Captions in 61 languages |
| Multiple videos | Review up to 50 videos from links or a supported channel | Single-video transcript form | File-import workspace | Multi-file and ZIP upload | Link and file imports in the workspace | Multi-file editing projects |
| Main workflow | Public link to transcript, exports and saved results | YouTube text extraction and meeting tools | Meetings and conversation notes | AI and human transcription services | Meeting notes and video transcription | Transcript-based video editing |
Features and availability may vary by plan and change over time. Check each provider for the latest details.
Answers for this tool.
Copy the public video URL, paste it above and select Get transcript. Read the available text below the input, then copy it or choose a download format. On YouTube itself, videos with captions may also offer Show transcript in the video description.
Yes. You get 3 free credits each UTC day. Transcription uses 1 credit per started 5 minutes of each video. Unused daily credits expire at 00:00 UTC. Copying or downloading an available result costs no extra credits. Optional credit packs are one-time purchases, with no subscription or automatic renewal.
Your first successful single-video transcript of the UTC day can be viewed, copied and downloaded without signing up, within your available credits. After that, you can process another video with remaining credits, but need to sign in to unlock its full text and exports. Signing in keeps your existing daily usage; it does not add another free allowance. No YouTube login, app or browser extension is needed.
Videos can be up to 30 minutes long, and your available credits must cover the full video. If you need more credits, add a credit pack or choose a shorter video. The tool does not cut the result down to a free preview.
Yes. Paste a public youtube.com/shorts/ link into the same input and select Get transcript. Shorts use the same result view, copy controls and available downloads as regular videos. Availability still depends on source access and a usable transcript.
Open this page in your mobile browser, paste the video or Shorts link and select Get transcript. Select Copy text on the available result, or open Export options and choose Export TXT. You do not need to install an app or browser extension.
Yes. Download TXT for readable text and notes, or SRT and VTT for subtitles when usable timestamps are available. You can also copy the transcript without downloading a file. If timing is approximate or unavailable, use TXT or copy the text. Subtitle files are separate downloads; the tool does not burn captions into your video.
Yes. Select Copy text to copy the words without timestamps, or export TXT for a plain-text file. Open Copy options for simple or detailed timestamped text. Choose SRT or VTT when you need timed subtitle cues. Copying and exporting do not transcribe the video again.
Show transcript depends on captions being available on YouTube. WiseTranscript also depends on source access and usable content, so a link without available captions may fail. If you own the recording or have permission to process it, sign in and try Upload file for a supported audio or video file. Link transcription without captions is not guaranteed.
Yes. Once your transcript is ready, sign in and choose a target language from the Original menu above it. The translation menu includes 187 language and regional options. Translation uses 1 credit per started 5 minutes of the source video, per target language. Reopening an existing translation uses no extra credits. Review translated wording before sharing it.
Sign in and choose Bulk transcribe to submit multiple video links or a supported public channel link. Review the available videos and select up to 50 before confirming. Each video has its own transcript and credit charge. Playlist links are not supported directly; paste the individual video links instead. A channel import does not guarantee every video ever posted.
Sign in and choose Upload file for a supported recording you are allowed to process: MP3, M4A, WAV, MP4, MOV or WEBM, up to 100 MB and 30 minutes. An accessible published replay may work as a video link, but an active live stream cannot be transcribed in real time.
A YouTube transcript, also called a YT transcript, is readable text of the words spoken in a video. It may include timestamps. It is different from a new video script or a shortened summary: the transcript keeps the available speech together for reading and reference.
This page produces a transcript of existing speech. It does not automatically turn the video into a summary or generate a new script. You can copy the available transcript into your notes or another writing tool to make your own summary or draft.
Accuracy depends on the source captions, language, recording quality and clarity of speech. Names, slang, accents, overlapping voices and background music can cause errors. Processing time varies with video length, source access and demand. Review important wording and available timestamps against the original before quoting or publishing.
Unclaimed guest results expire at the next 00:00 UTC after creation. Sign in before that reset to save eligible results and start saving their original media to your account. Saved account transcripts, video copies, and covers remain subject to deletion and retention rules. Temporary upload originals are scheduled for deletion after 7 days; saved account copies are kept separately. Service providers process the data needed for your request. See our Privacy Policy for details.
The video may be private, deleted, restricted or blocked by YouTube. Captions may be unavailable or in an unusable language track, and audio access is not guaranteed. Supported duration, available credits or temporary service errors can also affect the request. Check its error message. If only the video preview fails, an available transcript can still be copied or downloaded.
Transcribe videos you own or have permission to process. A public link does not grant reuse rights; respect the creator’s permissions and applicable platform terms.
Have a video from another platform? Check its supported links and limits before you start.
See the latest improvements to how you transcribe, review and reuse video.
Bulk transcribe brings multiple links and supported creator sources into one selection. Review video covers and durations, then choose the videos you need.
Start with a public video link and read the available transcript below the input. Copy the words or download them from the same workspace.
Upload an audio or video file when you already have the recording. Read and copy the transcript, or download TXT and available subtitle formats.
Turn a public video or Short into text for your next task.
Get YouTube Transcript