Standard video
youtube.com/watch?v=...Public or unlisted video with a direct watch URL
Free YouTube Transcript Generator
Get the transcript. Search for a line, check the video and keep the text you need.
No account required · 2 guest requests per rolling 24 hours
Use available YouTube captions, or AI transcription when captions are confirmed absent.
One public video per request · Watch URLs · youtu.be · Shorts · finished livestream replays
YouTube captions first
AI fallback only when captions are absent
Search, timestamps and source verification
Copy, TXT, SRT and VTT when available
Transcript + source
Find the line. Verify the moment.
A transcript is most useful when it stays connected to the video. Search the text, use timestamps to return to the source, then copy or correct the wording you actually need.
Fictional lecture · 24:00Video
Asking better questions
Observation → Assumption → Evidence
01:18 / 24:00
Transcript Video
Search every word
Find a name, phrase, quote or topic without scrubbing through the timeline.
Jump back to the video
When reliable timing is available, click a timestamp to verify the exact moment in the source.
Correct the transcript
Fix wording in your private result without changing the original source transcript.
Keep the useful lines
Highlight passages, copy only what matters, and return to them while you review.
Export the transcript
Copy clean text or download TXT. SRT and VTT are available when reliable cue timing exists.
Search a long YouTube video like a document
Instead of dragging through the progress bar, search the transcript for a term, compare every match and return to the relevant timestamp.
Illustrative search example. Generating subtitles from audio is subject to your plan’s limit on total video duration.
mitochondria4 matches
- 12:41
First, define mitochondria and the question we want to answer.
- 37:06
Next, compare mitochondria across the two examples.
- 51:22
Return to mitochondria in the diagram we drew earlier.
- 74:08
Finally, review mitochondria alongside your original notes.
YouTube captions first. AI only when needed.
We use the video’s existing captions when available. The result tells you where the text came from.
1
Use the YouTube caption track
If a usable caption track is available, that is the transcript source.
Only after captions are confirmed absent
2
Transcribe the public video audio with AI
When there are no captions, AI transcription may be available within your allowance.
The completed result identifies whether it came from platform captions or AI transcription.
Supported YouTube links
Paste the link you already have
You do not need to convert a Short or youtu.be link before using the tool.
Short link
youtu.be/...YouTube share links work without converting them first
YouTube Shorts
youtube.com/shorts/...Paste a public Short exactly as you copied it
Finished livestream
youtube.com/watch?v=...Use the replay watch URL after the stream has ended
One public video per request. Channels, playlists, private videos, ongoing broadcasts and /live/ URLs are not supported.
Use the transcript without losing the source
The same workspace works for long lectures, interviews and step-by-step tutorials.
Lecture or course
Search a technical term, compare every mention and return to the explanation in the video.
Interview or podcast
Find the exact passage you remember, then verify the quote against the surrounding context.
Tutorial
Locate a step, correct the wording if needed and highlight the part you want to revisit.
FAQ
YouTube transcript questions
Is this YouTube transcript generator free?
You can try TranscriptJet without creating an account. Guest and account usage limits apply; the current limits are shown on the Pricing page.
What happens if a YouTube video has no captions?
TranscriptJet checks the YouTube caption track first. Only when captions are confirmed absent may it transcribe the public video audio with AI, after duration, allowance and capacity checks. Uncertain provider responses do not trigger a new AI job.
Can I transcribe YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Paste a public youtube.com/shorts/... URL. The result uses the same searchable transcript workspace as a standard video.
Can I get a transcript from a finished livestream?
Yes. Use the public youtube.com/watch?v=... replay URL after the stream has ended. Ongoing broadcasts and /live/ URLs are not supported.
Can I download the transcript as TXT, SRT or VTT?
TXT is available for a completed transcript. SRT and VTT require reliable start and end timing for every cue, so those export controls are enabled only when the timing is good enough.
Do playlists, channels, private videos or live broadcasts work?
TranscriptJet handles one public video per request. Channels, playlists, private videos, ongoing broadcasts and /live/ URLs are not supported on this page. For a finished livestream, use its public watch replay URL.
Can I trust the transcript for an exact quote?
Use the transcript to find the passage, then verify the wording against the source video. TranscriptJet keeps the source attached and exposes timestamps when reliable timing is available.