01 / Download
Download, don't just copy
Get a real file. TXT for notes and ChatGPT. SRT or VTT for subtitles in any video editor.
Free YouTube Transcript Generator (No Signup, No Ads)
Paste a YouTube link. Get the full transcript in seconds. Copy it, or download as TXT, SRT, or VTT. Works on videos of any length.
Works with youtube.com, youtu.be, and Shorts links · 15 videos per 24 hours.
Three simple steps
How to Get the Transcript of a YouTube Video
- 01
Copy the video link
Open the video on YouTube. Copy the URL from the address bar, or tap Share → Copy link on mobile.
- 02
Paste it above
Drop the link in the box and click Get Transcript. No upload, no waiting for a file to process.
- 03
Copy or download
Read it on the page, copy it with one click, or download it as TXT, SRT, or VTT. Turn timestamps on or off first.
Why Use Crikk's YouTube Transcript Tool?
Most transcript sites make you scroll past ads, sign up, or copy text by hand. This one doesn't.
02 / Timestamps
Timestamps: your call
Turn them on to jump around the video. Turn them off for clean, readable text you can paste anywhere.
03 / Languages
Every language the video has
If the video has captions in more than one language, pick the one you want from the dropdown.
Transcript in seconds
No video upload. Crikk pulls the text straight from YouTube, so a 3-hour podcast takes as long as a 30-second Short.
No ads. No popups. No signup.
Nothing between you and the transcript. No email, no account, no "upgrade to download."
No length limit
Lectures, podcasts, livestream replays. If it has captions, you get all of it.
What People Use YouTube Transcripts For
Summarize with ChatGPT or Claude
Paste the transcript into any AI tool and ask for a summary, key points, or a quiz. A 2-hour video becomes a 2-minute read.
Study and take notes
Search the text instead of scrubbing the video. Quote lectures word for word. Read at your own pace.
Turn videos into blog posts
Creators: repurpose your own videos into articles, newsletters, and social posts without retyping a word.
Get subtitles for your editor
Download the SRT and drop it into Premiere, CapCut, DaVinci, or Final Cut. Timing is already done.
Research and fact-check
Find the exact minute someone said something. Pull quotes with timestamps for citations.
Read instead of watch
Skim a 40-minute video in 4 minutes. Decide if it's worth watching before you press play.
How to See a Transcript on YouTube Without a Tool
YouTube has a built-in transcript panel, but it's hidden and you can't download from it. Here's where it is:
- 1 Open the video on desktop.
- 2 Click the three dots (…) under the video, next to Share and Save.
- 3 Click "Show transcript." A panel opens on the right.
- 4 To save it, select all the text, copy, and paste into a document.
That works, but it's slow, keeps the timestamps stuck to every line, and gives you no file. and get a clean TXT or SRT in one click.
No catch
Free. No Signup. No Ads.
Crikk's YouTube transcript generator is free. No account, no watermark on your files, and no ads cluttering the page. The fair-use allowance is 15 different videos per rolling 24-hour window. Paste, get transcript, done.
YouTube Transcript Generator FAQ
Is this YouTube transcript generator really free?
Yes. No signup or credit card. The fair-use allowance is 15 different videos per rolling 24-hour window.
How do I get a transcript of a YouTube video?
Copy the video link, paste it in the box above, and click Get Transcript. The text appears in seconds. Copy it or download it as TXT, SRT, or VTT.
Can I download the transcript as a file?
Yes. Choose TXT for plain text, or SRT / VTT if you need subtitles with timing for a video editor.
Why does it say the video has no transcript?
The tool uses the captions YouTube already has for the video. If the uploader turned captions off, or the video is too new for YouTube to have auto-captioned it yet, there's nothing to pull. Most videos get auto-captions within a few hours of upload.
How accurate is the transcript?
As accurate as YouTube's captions. Uploaded captions are usually word-perfect. Auto-generated ones are good for clear speech but can slip on names, accents, and background noise.
Is there a limit on video length?
No. A 5-hour lecture works the same as a 15-second Short.
Can I get the transcript in a different language?
If the video has captions in more than one language, pick the one you want from the Transcript language dropdown.
Does it work on YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Paste the Shorts link the same way.
Does it work on private or unlisted videos?
Unlisted videos work if you have the link. Private videos don't, because YouTube blocks access to them.
Can I use the transcript with ChatGPT?
Yes. Download the TXT (timestamps off) and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, or any AI tool for a summary, notes, or a quiz.
Do you store the transcripts or my links?
Transcripts are cached temporarily in server memory for up to one hour to reduce repeat requests. They are not permanently saved.
Is this affiliated with YouTube?
No. Crikk is an independent tool and is not associated with YouTube or Google.