In today’s digital world, video holds immense power, but text remains unmatched for its accessibility and flexibility.
Whether you’re a YouTuber aiming to broaden your reach, a viewer who prefers reading over listening, or a business looking to enhance SEO and engagement, transcribing YouTube videos offers clear advantages.
This guide dives into how to transcribe YouTube videos, why it’s crucial, and the best practices to create effective, user-friendly transcripts.
What is a YouTube Video Transcript?
A YouTube video transcript is a written version of all spoken words in a video. During transcription, any audible speech is converted into a readable text format. Transcripts can appear as real-time captions or scrollable text alongside the video.
How to Transcribe a YouTube Video: 7 Easy Methods
In today’s video-driven landscape, transcribing YouTube videos is a vital skill for creators, educators, marketers, and anyone looking to maximize video content’s potential. This section outlines seven simple methods to transcribe YouTube videos across various platforms and devices. From built-in tools on desktop and mobile to advanced YouTube Studio features and AI solutions like Subtitlewhisper, we’ve got options for all skill levels.
Method 1 Transcribing YouTube Videos on Desktop
Transcribing YouTube videos on a desktop is a breeze, often requiring just a few clicks within YouTube’s interface. If you’re ready to transcribe a video, follow these steps:
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Navigate to the YouTube video you want to transcribe.
Head to the video you’d like to convert into text.
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Expand the description box.
Click the description to view more details.
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Locate the “Transcript” section and click “Show transcript.”
Scroll down to find the transcript option and select it.
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Review the transcript.
YouTube will display the transcript on the right side of the screen.
Note: Transcripts created this way can’t be edited or downloaded. Also, not every video offers a transcript option (the “Show transcript” button may be absent). In such cases, tools like Subtitlewhisper can generate editable, downloadable transcripts.
Try Subtitlewhisper for free today!
Method 2 Transcribing YouTube Videos on Mobile
Transcribing YouTube videos on mobile devices requires the YouTube app, as the mobile website doesn’t support this feature. The process mirrors the desktop method, offering a seamless experience. However, like desktop transcripts, mobile-generated ones aren’t editable or downloadable, and not all videos qualify for transcription. Here’s how to do it:
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Open the video in the YouTube mobile app.
Launch the app and select the video you want to transcribe.
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Tap “More” or expand the description.
Click to reveal additional details.
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Scroll to the “Transcript” section and tap “Show transcript.”
Find the transcript option and select it.
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View the transcript.
The transcript will appear for easy reading.
Method 3 Transcribing YouTube Videos with Subtitlewhisper
For fast and reliable YouTube video transcription, Subtitlewhisper is an AI-powered solution. Built on OpenAI’s Whisper technology, it delivers transcriptions with up to 98.5% accuracy. Supporting over 50 languages, it’s perfect for creators and viewers globally. (Try Subtitlewhisper for free!) Here’s how to use it:
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Upload your video.
Add the video file or paste its YouTube link.
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Generate the transcript with one click.
Hit “Generate subtitles now” to let the AI create a precise transcript.
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Edit the transcript.
Review and tweak the time-stamped transcript using Subtitlewhisper’s intuitive editor.
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Download the transcript (optional).
Save the transcript in formats like .srt, .txt, .docx, or .csv.
What makes Subtitlewhisper stand out is its ease of use. Its intuitive interface lets you transcribe videos in just a few clicks, saving time while delivering top-notch results. Whether you’re working with your own content or someone else’s, Subtitlewhisper simplifies the process, letting you focus on creativity rather than technicalities.
Try Subtitlewhisper for free now!
Method 4 Transcribing YouTube Videos with YouTube Studio
YouTube Studio offers creators a built-in tool to transcribe videos on their own channels. This method is limited to your own uploads, as YouTube Studio is exclusive to video owners. To transcribe others’ videos, you’d need to download, create a channel, and upload them—a lengthy process. Here’s how to use YouTube Studio:
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Access YouTube Studio.
Ensure your video is uploaded, then visit YouTube Studio to manage it.
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Select “Subtitles” from the left menu.
Go to the subtitles section in YouTube Studio.
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Choose your video.
Click the video’s thumbnail (new uploads may need time to process).
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Click “Add/Duplicate and Edit.”
This opens the YouTube Caption Editor.
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Refine captions.
Edit captions for grammar, punctuation, or timing using the subtitle editor. Adjust durations by dragging endpoints or add new captions with the “+” sign.
Method 5 Transcribing YouTube Videos with Google Docs
Google Docs provides a free transcription option via its voice typing feature. While convenient, its accuracy lags behind AI tools like Subtitlewhisper (up to 98.5% accuracy). Background noise or poor audio can cause errors, and the video must play aloud, which may be impractical for long videos or noisy settings. Still, it’s great for quick, editable transcripts. Here’s how:
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Start a new Google Docs document.
Open Google Docs and create a blank file. -
Activate voice typing in the “Tools” menu.
Enable the voice typing feature.
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Transcribe using the microphone icon.
Click the mic and play the video through speakers, keeping the audio source close to your microphone.
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Stop the transcription.
Click the mic again when the video finishes.
Method 6 Transcribing YouTube Videos with an Android App
For Android users, Google Live Transcribe offers a free, easy way to transcribe YouTube videos, available on the Google Play Store. Its accuracy is solid but may not rival AI tools like Subtitlewhisper (98.5% accuracy). Background noise or low audio quality can affect results, and the video must play aloud. Still, it’s a handy option for quick transcriptions. Here’s how:
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Download Google Live Transcribe.
Install Google Live Transcribe from the Google Play Store.
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Grant permissions and open the app.
Allow audio recording access to enable transcription.
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Start transcription.
Tap “Turn on” to begin capturing audio. -
Transcribe the video.
Play the video on speaker mode so the app’s microphone can transcribe it in real-time.
Method 7 Transcribing YouTube Videos with an Apple iOS App
No Android? No problem! Apple’s Dictation feature offers a transcription solution similar to Google Live Transcribe. It’s efficient but requires a working microphone for accuracy. Errors may occur with poor mic performance, but it’s a fast way to transcribe. Here’s how:
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Open iPhone settings.
Access your device’s settings menu.
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Go to “General” then “Keyboard.”
Navigate to the keyboard settings.
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Turn on Dictation.
Enable the Dictation feature.
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Open a text app like Notes.
Launch an app for typing. -
Tap the microphone icon on the keyboard.
Activate Dictation via the keyboard mic.
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Play the video on speaker mode.
Ensure the audio is near the mic for real-time transcription.
Why Transcribe YouTube Videos?
Transcribing YouTube videos may seem like extra work, but the benefits are substantial, impacting accessibility, SEO, user experience, and content versatility. Here’s why you should start transcribing now.
1 Boost Engagement and Watch Time
YouTube’s algorithm prioritizes engagement—watch time, comments, likes, and subscriptions. Transcripts let viewers follow along at their own pace, improving engagement. Users can revisit key points, clarify details, or jump to specific sections. This leads to longer watch times, as viewers are more likely to finish videos they can easily understand. Videos with captions see 17% higher engagement than those without, signaling value to YouTube for better rankings.
2 Enhance Accessibility and Inclusivity
Accessibility is essential in today’s diverse world. Transcripts make content available to those with hearing impairments or non-native speakers. The World Health Organization estimates 466 million people have hearing loss, a number projected to hit 900 million by 2050. Transcripts help these viewers engage fully. They also aid those in noisy environments, like public transit, by allowing silent consumption.
3 Improve SEO and Discoverability
Skipping transcripts means missing SEO opportunities. Search engines can’t crawl videos but can index text. Transcripts add searchable keywords, boosting your video’s visibility on Google and YouTube.
4 Repurpose Content Across Platforms
A transcript transforms your video into a multi-purpose asset. Use it for blog posts, ebooks, podcasts, or social media. This extends your content’s reach and saves time. TED Talks, for example, provides captions and transcripts on its site, repurposing videos into articles and audio for global audiences.
5 Support Learning and Retention
With e-learning on the rise, transcripts cater to varied learning styles. They help learners revisit and process complex topics or tutorials, improving comprehension and retention.
6 Ensure Legal Compliance
In places like the US, laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act require accessible online content. Transcripts ensure compliance, avoiding legal or reputational risks. For brands, they signal social responsibility and inclusivity.
7 Unlock Revenue Opportunities
Transcripts increase views, driving ad revenue, affiliate sales, or sponsorships. A Liveclicker study found pages with transcripts earn 16% more revenue. Transcripts also enable selling content in new formats, like paid resources.
7 Expert Tips for Transcribing YouTube Videos
Transcribing YouTube videos is valuable, but it requires strategy for optimal results. Here are seven tips to ensure accurate, high-quality transcripts.
1 Prioritize High-Quality Audio
Clear audio is the backbone of accurate transcription, whether manual or AI-driven. Good audio reduces errors, especially for automated tools.
Pro Tip: Use a quality microphone and record in a quiet space. Speak clearly and consistently. For challenging audio (accents, noise, jargon), try Subtitlewhisper, which uses Whisper AI for 98.5% accuracy. (Try it free!)
2 Use YouTubes Auto-Captions Wisely
YouTube’s auto-captions are a quick starting point but often falter with complex terms, accents, or multiple speakers. Always review and edit them for accuracy.
3 Proofread for Clarity
Automated or human transcriptions can misinterpret homophones, idioms, or technical terms. Always proofread to ensure clarity.
Pro Tip: Play the video while reading the transcript to verify alignment. Remove filler words, add punctuation, and label speakers for readability.
4 Include Timestamps for Navigation
Timestamps make long videos or multi-section content easier to navigate, especially for tutorials or interviews.
Pro Tip: Tools like Subtitlewhisper add timestamps automatically. Manually, mark speaker changes or sections accurately.
5 Tailor to Your Audience
Audiences vary—some need translations, others full transcripts.
Pro Tip: For global viewers, offer multilingual captions. Subtitlewhisper can generate translations effortlessly.
6 Repurpose Transcriptions
Transcripts are versatile—use them for blog posts, social media, or ebooks to extend content reach.
Pro Tip: Break transcripts into bite-sized social posts or full articles for maximum impact.
7 Optimize for SEO
Transcripts boost SEO by adding crawlable text. Include them in descriptions or captions for better rankings.
Pro Tip: Weave relevant keywords naturally into transcripts. For a “vegan smoothie” video, use terms like “vegan smoothie recipe” or “healthy drinks.”
Frequently Asked Questions
With so many transcription tools and methods, the process can seem daunting. Modern tools and YouTube’s features make it easier than ever. Here are answers to common questions:
Q1. Can I convert a YouTube video to a transcript?
Yes. Click the three dots below a video, select “Show transcript,” and view the auto-generated text in the sidebar.
Q2. How do I transcribe a YouTube video for free?
- Upload the video or link to Subtitlewhisper, a free tool.
- Wait for it to process and transcribe.
- Edit the transcript as needed.
Q3. How do I download a YouTube transcript as text?
- Upload the video or link to Subtitlewhisper.
- Let it process and transcribe.
- Download in .srt, .txt, .docx, or .csv format.
Q4. Can I transcribe videos on mobile?
Yes. In the YouTube app, tap “Show transcript” to view the transcript.
Q5. How do I copy a transcript without timestamps?
- Click “Show transcript” on YouTube.
- Click the three dots in the transcript panel.
- Select “Toggle Timestamps” to remove them.
Note: Timestamps can’t be removed in the mobile app.
Q6. Do all YouTube videos have transcripts?
No. If creators disable transcripts, use Subtitlewhisper to generate one.
Q7. Why are transcripts missing for some videos?
YouTube auto-generates transcripts, but non-vocal content ( solaire: like instrumental music lacks transcripts. Unclear or distorted audio may also cause incomplete transcripts.
Conclusion Try Subtitlewhisper
Subtitlewhisper – Simple Transcription & Subtitling
Powered by Whisper AI, Subtitlewhisper offers cutting-edge transcription and subtitling for over 50 languages. Effortlessly transcribe or subtitle videos with up to 98.5% accuracy in minutes.
Try Subtitlewhisper for free today!
