How to Get a YouTube Transcript Easily – Full Guide for Beginners
Introduction: Why You Need a YouTube Transcript
Whether you're a content creator, researcher, or language learner, having access to a YouTube transcript can make your life much easier. A transcript helps you:
- Quickly review video content without rewatching
- Improve accessibility for hearing-impaired audiences
- Repurpose video content for blogs, subtitles, or social media
In this guide, we'll show you how to get a YouTube transcript easily, using both YouTube’s built-in tools and third-party services like SubEasy.
What Is a YouTube Transcript?
A YouTube transcript is the written text of everything spoken in a YouTube video. It can include:
- Dialogue
- Background narration
- Sometimes, sound effects descriptions
YouTube provides an auto-generated transcript for many videos, but the accuracy is not always reliable, especially for non-English content.
How to Get a Transcript Directly from YouTube
YouTube offers a simple way to view transcripts:
Steps:
- Open the YouTube video.
- Click on the three dots (More options) below the video.
- Select Show transcript.
- The transcript will appear on the right side of the video.
Limitations:
- Not available for all videos.
- Auto-generated and may contain errors.
- No speaker identification.
- No option to export easily.
Limitations of YouTube’s Built-in Transcript
While YouTube’s transcript feature is free and easy to access, it has several drawbacks:
- Limited languages: Not available in many languages.
- No timestamps export: Hard to use for subtitling.
- No editing options: You cannot correct mistakes inside YouTube.
If you need a clean, editable, and accurate transcript, it’s better to use a third-party tool.
Best Tools to Generate YouTube Transcripts
Here are some of the most popular and reliable YouTube transcript generators in 2025:
| Tool | Accuracy | Export Options | Free Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| SubEasy | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | .srt, .txt, .docx, .vtt | ✅ |
| Otter.ai | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | .txt, .pdf | ✅ |
| Happyscribe | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | .srt, .txt | ❌ |
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use SubEasy for YouTube Transcripts
Here’s how you can get an accurate transcript using SubEasy:
Step 1: Copy the YouTube Video URL
Find the video you want to transcribe and copy its URL.
Step 2: Upload or Paste the Link to SubEasy
Go to SubEasy YouTube Transcription Tool and paste the link.
Step 3: Choose Language & Settings
Select the video language
Step 4: whether you want
- Timestamped subtitles
- Plain text transcript
- Custom subtitle styles
Step 5: Start Transcription
Click Transcribe Now. SubEasy will process the video in minutes.
Step 6: Download & Edit
Download the transcript in your preferred format. You can also edit and proofread it directly on SubEasy.
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Transcript has errors | Use SubEasy's built-in proofreading & editing tool |
| Non-English video accuracy low | Choose the correct language before transcribing |
| Can't export from YouTube | Use SubEasy to export in .srt, .txt, or other formats |
Conclusion: Which Method Should You Choose?
If you need a quick and rough transcript, YouTube’s built-in option is fine.
But if you want an accurate, editable, and exportable transcript, using tools like SubEasy is a smarter choice.
Start transcribing your YouTube videos today → Try SubEasy for Free
FAQ
Is it legal to get a YouTube transcript?
Yes, as long as you are transcribing videos you own or have permission to use.
Can I download the YouTube transcript directly?
YouTube doesn’t offer direct download, but tools like SubEasy allow you to export transcripts easily.
How long does it take to transcribe a YouTube video?
SubEasy can transcribe most videos within a few minutes, depending on length.