Timestamped text
Read the words in order and follow a timestamp back to the video.
WORDS FROM VIDEO
YouTube Transcript Generator
Get the words from a video. Keep the timestamps, download subtitles and build useful notes from the transcript.
Already have captions? Paste and export free
Open Show transcript in the YouTube description and copy its timestamps and words. Download pasted captions as TXT, SRT or VTT without signing in; AI note imports stay private and use 2 workspace credits for notes. The final caption end time is estimated.
New tasks require an account and use workspace credits. Free accounts include 30 credits each month.
Download text & subtitles
Export TXT, SRT, VTT or JSON. Markdown keeps the summary and notes alongside the transcript.
Go beyond the transcript
Save the recording, search its transcript and ask questions with source excerpts.
FROM SOURCE TO REFERENCE
How to generate a YouTube transcript
- 01
Paste one video link
Use a YouTube video or Shorts URL. Sign in for a new transcript; free accounts include workspace credits.
- 02
Retrieve the words
SonaNote attempts captions or accessible audio. If the link is blocked, open YouTube’s Show transcript panel and paste its timestamped captions on this page or import them with the Chrome extension.
- 03
Read, search and download
Open the full transcript, find a phrase and download the format you need.
Which YouTube transcript format should you download?
A YouTube transcript generator turns available captions or accessible audio into text. Choose an export format that fits what you plan to do with the words.
| Content / format | Useful for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| TXT | Reading, searching and copying text | Result-page TXT includes timestamps. Pasted-caption TXT downloads remove them. |
| SRT / VTT | Subtitle timing for an editor or player | Keeps cue start and end times. The final pasted cue end time is estimated; preview before publishing. |
| Markdown | Keeping the transcript, summary and notes | Download from a completed result page and manually import into your notes app. |
| JSON | Working with structured transcript segments | A completed result page provides text and timing data for your own scripts or apps. |
To read captions directly, look for Show transcript in the video description. If a link is restricted but its captions are visible in your browser, copy the timestamps and words, then paste them on this page for free export.
KEEP IT FOR NEXT TIME
Find the line you remember.
Keep lecture transcripts for study, locate quotations for research or export subtitle files for editing. Text and timestamps travel together. Check wording against the original video before quoting or publishing.
YouTube transcript generator FAQ
Is this YouTube transcript generator free?
A free account includes welcome credits and 30 credits each month. New link transcripts require an account and consume workspace credits. Pasted-caption downloads work without an account; existing public transcripts are free to read and download.
What if a video has no captions?
Speech recognition can be attempted when the audio is accessible. Restricted, private or unavailable videos may fail. You can also transcribe your own recording with the audio tools.
Can I download SRT or VTT subtitles?
Yes. Completed transcript pages offer SRT and VTT with segment start and end times, as well as TXT, Markdown and JSON.
Does it support Shorts, playlists and whole channels?
Single videos and Shorts are supported. Playlist and whole-channel batch processing are not currently available; submit one video at a time.
What should I do if YouTube blocks the link?
Open Show transcript in the video description and use the SonaNote Chrome extension to import visible captions. Imports stay private and use 2 workspace credits for notes.