Does YouTube have a built-in transcript feature?

Yes. On desktop, click the three-dot menu below the video and select 'Show transcript.' It shows timestamped text in a side panel. On mobile, tap 'Show transcript' in the video description. Not all videos have it — the creator or YouTube's auto-captioner must have provided one.

Can I get a YouTube transcript without watching the video?

Yes. Paste the video URL into a transcript tool like EzTranscript and the full text is generated from the audio track in seconds, without playing the video.

How do I get a YouTube transcript as a downloadable file?

YouTube's built-in transcript doesn't offer downloads. Use a transcript tool that supports export — EzTranscript lets you download as TXT, SRT, or VTT.

Does this work for YouTube Shorts?

Yes. YouTube Shorts are regular YouTube videos with a short duration. Paste the Shorts link the same way you would a standard video URL.

Is it free to transcribe YouTube videos?

EzTranscript offers free daily transcriptions with no sign-up required. The daily limit per IP covers casual use. YouTube's own transcript panel is also free when available.

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Guide2026/07/29

How to Get a Transcript of a YouTube Video (4 Methods)

Four ways to get the full text of any YouTube video: YouTube's built-in transcript, a free transcript tool, auto-generated captions, and manual transcription.

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