YouTube Transcript Generator
Turn any YouTube video with captions into clean, searchable text. Toggle timestamps, pick a language, copy or export as .txt / .srt.
How to get a YouTube transcript
- Copy the YouTube link. Any video or Shorts URL works, or just the 11-character video ID.
- Click Get transcript. SaveVD fetches the caption track — creator-uploaded subtitles first, auto-generated if that's all there is.
- Copy or export. Toggle timestamps, switch language, then Copy, or download as .txt or .srt subtitles.
Features
Timestamps on/off
Keep [mm:ss] markers for reference or strip them for clean reading.
Every caption language
Choose any language the video offers, including auto-translated tracks where available.
SRT export
Get a subtitle file you can load into VLC, Premiere, CapCut or DaVinci Resolve.
Great for notes & AI
Paste transcripts into notes, summarisers, or study tools.
Tips & best practices for YouTube Transcript
- Creator-uploaded captions are far more accurate than auto-generated ones — check the language list for a track without "(auto)".
- Turn timestamps off before pasting into a summariser to save space.
- Use the SRT file to add subtitles to your own re-edit or translation project.
- Quote short excerpts and credit the creator when citing a transcript.
Troubleshooting YouTube Transcript transcripts
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| "This video has no captions" | The creator disabled captions and YouTube hasn't generated any. Try again in a day for new uploads. |
| Transcript is empty or cut off | YouTube occasionally throttles caption requests. Wait a minute and retry, or pick a different language track. |
| Wrong language | Use the Language dropdown above the transcript to switch tracks. |
YouTube Transcript transcript FAQ
Does every YouTube video have a transcript?
No. Only videos with captions — uploaded by the creator or auto-generated by YouTube — have one. Music videos and very new uploads often don't.
How accurate are auto-generated transcripts?
Usually good for clear speech in English, weaker with accents, music, jargon or multiple speakers. Proofread before publishing.
Can I get a transcript in another language?
Yes, if the video has that caption track. Pick it from the Language menu after the first fetch.
What's the difference between TXT and SRT?
TXT is plain text for reading. SRT includes numbered cues with start/end times for use as subtitles.
Is there a length limit?
No practical limit — multi-hour lectures and podcasts work fine.
Is SaveVD free?
Yes. SaveVD is free to use with no sign-up, no software to install and no watermark added to your files.
Do I need to install an app or extension?
No. SaveVD runs in your browser on Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS. Just paste a link.
Is it legal to download videos?
Downloading is generally fine for your own content, content in the public domain, or content licensed for reuse (e.g. Creative Commons). Re-uploading or redistributing someone else's copyrighted video without permission is not. Always respect the creator and the platform's terms.
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