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YouTube Transcript Generator

Extract the full transcript of any YouTube video in seconds. Convert any video to text you can copy, search, quote, or study.

Trusted by thousands of students, researchers & creators
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Why Get a YouTube Transcript?

Study & Research

Turn lecture transcripts into searchable text. Find quotes, cite sources, build study notes from any YouTube video.

Content Creation

Repurpose YouTube transcripts into blog posts, threads, and articles without rewatching.

Accessibility

Read the transcript when you can't listen: commutes, libraries, or hearing accessibility.

Quick Reference

Ctrl+F through a transcript instead of scrubbing through a 2-hour video.

How to Get a YouTube Transcript

Extract the full text from any YouTube video in three steps. Works with auto-generated captions and manual subtitles. No Chrome extension, no software, no account.

Paste the YouTube URL

Copy the video link from YouTube and paste it into the tool above.

Click "Get Transcript"

The transcript is extracted instantly from YouTube's captions.

Copy or read the text

Browse the timestamped view or copy the raw text to your clipboard.

Extract Transcripts with Clickable Timestamps

View subtitles and captions with timestamps grouped by minute. Every transcript includes a timestamped view where each timestamp is clickable, linking directly to that moment in the YouTube video.

  • Timestamped view grouped by 60-second intervals
  • Clickable timestamps that link to YouTube
  • Raw text view for easy copy and paste
  • Both views have one-click copy buttons
0:00Welcome back to the channel, today we're going to talk about...
1:00The key insight here is that most people don't realize...
2:00Let me show you exactly how this works in practice...

Download and Copy YouTube Subtitles

Download the YouTube transcript as plain text or copy it to your clipboard in one click. Choose between raw text for clean copy-paste, or the timestamped format with time markers for reference.

Raw text

Clean, continuous text, perfect for pasting into documents, notes, or AI tools.

Timestamped format

Text with [MM:SS] time markers, ideal for study notes, citations, and reference.

Want More Than Just the Transcript?

TubeNotes uses AI to turn transcripts into structured summaries with key takeaways, chapters, and timestamps.

TubeNotes Pro

Unlock Long-Form Podcasts & Advanced AI Summaries

  • Summaries up to 8 hours
  • Topic & entity extraction
  • Structured notes with chapters
  • Multilingual mode (25+ languages)
  • Save custom smart prompts
  • Faster processing & priority queue
Upgrade to TubeNotes Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the transcript generator.

How do I get a YouTube video transcript?
Paste any YouTube video URL into the tool above and click 'Get Transcript'. The full text appears in seconds. No account or Chrome extension needed.
Is this YouTube transcript generator free?
Yes, the transcript generator is completely free with no limits. No account or sign-up required.
Can I get transcripts with timestamps?
Yes. The tool provides both a raw text view and a timestamped view grouped by minute. Each timestamp is clickable and links directly to that moment in the YouTube video.
Can I download or copy YouTube subtitles?
Yes. Use the Copy button to copy the full transcript or the timestamped version to your clipboard. You can then paste it into any document, note app, or text editor.
Do I need a Chrome extension to extract YouTube transcripts?
No. This transcript extractor works directly in your browser. Just paste the URL and click. No extension, plugin, or software installation needed.
Does every YouTube video have a transcript?
Most YouTube videos have auto-generated captions. If the uploader disabled captions, the transcript won't be available.
What's the difference between a transcript and a summary?
A transcript is the full word-for-word text from the video. A summary is an AI-generated condensed version with key takeaways, chapters, and insights. TubeNotes offers both: get the transcript for free, then summarize it with AI.
Does this work with long videos?
Yes, the YouTube transcript tool works with videos up to 4 hours long.
Can I get a transcript of a YouTube Short?
Yes. YouTube Shorts use the same transcript system as regular videos. Paste the Short's URL and the full text will appear, just like any other video.
What format is the transcript in?
Plain text you can copy and paste into Notion, Google Docs, or any note-taking app. Choose between a clean text view or a timestamped view with time markers.

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