How to Get Transcript of a YouTube Video: 3 Best Ways

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How to Get Transcript of a YouTube Video: 3 Best Ways

Last Updated: 2022. 12. 12

The transcript of YouTube videos is the written text of what is said in a YouTube video.

With a YouTube video transcript, you can scan through the highlights of the video content with the sound off and without watching the video. Besides, you may even convert the YouTube transcript to Word for other repurposing.

So, in this tutorial, we will walk you through how to get the transcript of a YouTube video in the 3 best ways. Without further ado, let’s get into it now!

Here is what you will learn:

How to Get the Transcript of a YouTube Video Directly from YouTube

How to Automatically Get the Transcript of a YouTube Video without Closed Captions

How to Get the Transcript of a YouTube Video on iPhone

Also, read how to transcribe video to text.

How to Get the Transcript of a YouTube Video Directly from YouTube

Well, the easiest way to get the transcript of a YouTube video is by clicking its “Show Transcript” button. Then, the full transcript with timestamps of the YouTube video will be shown to the right of the YouTube video.

However, not every YouTube video will have this option. YouTube transcript will be available only when the original YouTube creator has uploaded subtitles or closed caption to its video.

How to get the transcript of a YouTube video.

So, when you see a YouTube video with a CC icon (or a closed caption indicator), then you can directly get the transcript of the YouTube video. Sometimes, the transcript with multiple languages will also be available if you are in luck.

Here is how to download the YouTube transcript as text:

Step 1

Open a YouTube video > click the three dots > show transcript. Then the transcript window will open to the right of the YouTube video.

Click the show transcript button on YouTube.

Step 2

In the transcript window, you can search keywords for specific words or topics mentioned in the video. Or click the three dots and toggle the timestamps to hide timestamps next to each line of the transcript. Or click the drop-down menu to see if the transcript of other languages is available.

Search for keywords in a YouTube transcript or toggle timestamps and more.

Step 3

Drag and select all the transcripts and copy and paste them into your Word or TXT file.

How to Automatically Get the Transcript of a YouTube Video without Closed Captions

Very often, if you can’t find the “Show Transcript” option in a YouTube video or you need the transcript of your previously uploaded YouTube podcast videos for blogging or other purposes, then another great workaround is using FlexClip online video maker to automatically transcribe the YouTube video to text.

Automatically get the transcript of a YouTube video by FlexClip online.

Create Now

As a versatile online video editor and a YouTube transcript generator, FlexClip allows you to automatically transcribe 140+ languages with different accents to text with great accuracy. Then you can copy and paste the transcript to Word or TXT file for repurposing. Or directly export the video with burned-in captions.

Step 1

Access FlexClip and upload your YouTube video from your PC, phone, Google Drive, One Drive, Dropbox, etc.

Upload your YouTube video to FlexClip.

Step 2

Clip the plus sign to add your YouTube video to the intuitive timeline. You may trim, and split clips when needed.

Add the YouTube video to the timeline.

Step 3

Automatically transcribe YouTube video to text.

Click the Subtitle tab > Auto AI Subtitle > select the source language and accent in the video and video content > click Next to customize the styles of subtitles > click the Generate Subtitles button. Then FlexClip will automatically generate the transcript of the YouTube video.

Automatically generate the transcript of the YouTube video by FlexClip’s auto subtitle generator.

Step 4

Skim through the transcript to check if there is any error > copy and paste the transcript to Word or TXT files.

Proofread the transcript of the YouTube video and copy and paste them into a word or text file.

Create Now

If you need to add open captions to your YouTube video, you can stylize the auto-generated transcript and directly export the video. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Stylize the captions such as font, text size, text color, color and opacity of background fill, etc.

Bonus: Use tons of stylish and fully-customizable video templates.

As a treasure trove of video editing, FlexClip also offers you a wide array of designer-made video templates for customization. All you need is to drag and drop your video assets to customize them. Thousands of royalty-free music and sound effects, video effects, transitions, etc. are also available. Please feel free to explore.

Preview

Live Podcast Intro Outro

Use This Template

Preview

Graduation Summer Slideshow

Use This Template

Preview

Animated Sport Intro

Use This Template

Preview

Tech Webinar

Use This Template

How to Get the Transcript of a YouTube Video on iPhone

If the YouTube video has a closed caption, you may also use the “Show Transcript” feature to check its transcript. However, you can’t directly copy or download the YouTube video transcript to your iPhone. But, no worries! There is a workaround, though it looks a bit time-consuming. Also, read the 3 best iPhone mockup generators.

Step 1

Open YouTube app on your iPhone and find a YouTube video needed.

Step 2

Tap “…more” to unfold the YouTube video description.

Tap more to open the description of the YouTube video.

Step 3

Scroll down the video description > tap Show Transcript > then you can see all the YouTube video transcripts. You may tap three dots to check if a multiple-language transcript is available or search for keywords in the video.

Open and read the transcript of the YouTube video.

Remember the auto-generated English transcript by YouTube may not be that accurate, it would be better to check the misspelled words manually.

Step 4

Since you can’t directly copy and paste the YouTube video transcript. You can make screenshots of the transcript on your iPhone and go to the Photos app and tap and hold to select all the texts and paste the entire transcript on Notes.

Now, It's Your Move

So, that’s how you can easily get the transcript of YouTube videos on a desktop and iPhone. If you can’t find the existing YouTube video transcript, using the FlexClip YouTube transcript generator to automatically transcribe long YouTube videos to text can be the best option with excellent accuracy. Hopefully, if you find this tutorial helpful, do share it on your Facebook or Twitter and leave your views and tag us. Cheers!

Frank /

Passionate about photography, video-making and travel, Frank is a seasoned copywriter and a beloved father of 2-year-old daughter at FlexClip. He is always keen to share his latest discovery about video marketing and tricks to relive your memories through videos and images.