YouTube Transcript Generator
Upload YouTube videos.
Generate text transcripts.
Instant, downloadable YouTube transcripts
From YouTube video to text in minutes
Save time with accurate, reliable transcriptions
Kapwing’s YouTube Transcript Generator quickly creates editable text transcripts using automatic speech recognition and advanced machine learning. Anyone can repurpose YouTube videos from 10 seconds to two hours long into text for free — no editing experience or manual work required.
Upload videos or simply add published YouTube URL's and Kapwing will automatically remove filler words like “um” and “uh” in the finalized transcript. Use the search bar to jump to specific words or phrases, or select “Subtitles” to view timestamps, making it easy to identify quotes for articles and social media descriptions.
Improve YouTube discoverability, get more views
Adding a clean, formatted transcript to your YouTube video helps boost visibility in both YouTube and Google search by giving algorithms more context to index. This is especially beneficial for creators in tech, education, and news, where accuracy and keyword relevance directly impact search performance and audience reach.
Turn one YouTube video into a multimedia content strategy
A single YouTube transcript can fuel new content across multiple platforms. Use the transcript as a video script on Instagram and TikTok, repurpose it into a podcast outline or newsletter, or simply continue polishing your original video inside Kapwing's all-in-on editing studio.
Simply edit the text transcript and it will edit your video in-sync, allowing you to fine-tune both your transcript and video in one streamlined workflow. With export options like MP4, MP3, TXT, and PNG, Kapwing helps YouTube videos reach wider audiences as audio, text, memes, and images.
YouTube to transcript, made simple
Reach more people with a YouTube Transcript Generator
Smoother, easier brand collaborations
YouTube transcripts streamline collaboration with sponsors, editors, and partners. Whether a brand wants to review messaging before publishing or needs proof of what was said after a campaign, transcripts offer a clear, shareable record.
Subtitles can be automatically generated along with transcripts and easily exported as VTT, SRT, or TXT files. Whether you're working on brand partnerships or team collaborations, Kapwing’s YouTube transcript extractor provides the formats you need.
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Reach global audiences with translation into 100+ languages
One of the best ways to grow your audience is by reaching people in different languages. Kapwing’s built-in Translation feature makes it easy for YouTube creators to convert subtitle transcripts into over 100 languages. Translated text can be downloaded for editing, localization, or repurposing across platforms.
Meet the highest accessibility standards
Under the European Accessibility Act (EAA), transcripts are now a legal requirement for audio content distributed in the EU. Kapwing helps creators meet these standards with tools to manually create closed captions, style subtitles for readability, and generate full transcripts. Think of accessibility as more than a compliance requirement — it's a powerful way to reach more viewers.
Expand your reach with minimal editing
How Kapwing's community turn YouTube videos to text
Blogs & Articles
Content marketers generate transcripts for YouTube videos to help repurpose full-length footage into multiple insightful, topic-focused blogs and articles
Newsletters
Coaches and consultants use the YouTube Transcript Generator to turn tutorials, interviews, and industry highlights into text they can repurpose for high-value newsletter content
Video Scripts
Content creators and producers use YouTube transcripts to outline scripts for follow-up videos, refine talking points, or recreate older content with tighter messaging
E-learning Materials
The YouTube Transcript Generator allows online educators to add transcripts to lectures, downloading them as study guides, assignment references, or supplemental materials
Social Media Content
Content creators and social media managers repurpose YouTube footage into bite-sized X (Twitter) threads, quote cards, or LinkedIn posts using the YouTube Transcript Extractor
Press & PR Materials
PR teams and brand managers pull official quotes from YouTube videos, such as product launches, interviews, or press events, to use in media kits, blog features, or announcement posts
Show Notes & Summaries
Podcasters quickly create show notes and summaries using the YouTube Video Transcript Generator, skimming and editing the text to provide supporting materials for each episode
how to transcribe a youtube video
- Upload YouTube video
Upload your YouTube video file or add a YouTube URL link.
- Generate transcript from YouTube video
Open the "Transcript" tab and select your preferred language. Then, click "Generate Transcript."
- Edit and download transcript
Once you’ve generated the text, edit it, then click the download icon to save your YouTube transcript as a TXT file. To generate a SRT or VTT file, use the “Subtitles” tool.
Take your YouTube channel to the next level
Create engaging intros, thumbnails, and repurposed YouTube Shorts
Create an eye-catching YouTube intro
On a crowded platform like YouTube, you only have seconds to capture viewers' attention. With Kapwing, you can quickly create engaging intro hooks using a variety of customizable video templates. Add text, transitions, and effects in just one click to make your first 15 seconds stand out.
Turn frames into thumbnails
With Kapwing’s Freeze Frame tool, you can turn the best moment of your video into a clickable YouTube thumbnail. Add eye-catching text overlays, remove backgrounds, and use built-in tools to ensure your YouTube thumbnail is properly sized.
Generate multiple clips for YouTube Shorts
Split your content into multiple clips from YouTube to YouTube Shorts using the Repurpose Studio. The tool instantly generates bite-sized, mobile-friendly videos to help reach new viewers and cross-promote original content. Kapwing even lets you publish directly to YouTube Shorts from the editor, streamlining the entire process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the YouTube Transcript Generator free?
Yes, if you're on a Free Account, then the YouTube Transcript Generator provides 10 minutes of free video transcription per month. When you upgrade to a Pro Account, you get an additional
Is there a watermark on exports?
If you're using Kapwing with a Free Account, any transcript you download will be in a plain TXT file without any watermark. However, if you add visuals or subtitles to your transcript to create a video file then the MP4 export will contain a small watermark. Once you upgrade to a Pro Account, all watermarks will be removed from creations.
How do I convert a YouTube video to text?
Upload a YouTube video or add a YouTube URL link to Kapwing, then open the "Transcript" tab in the left-hand toolbar. Select "Trim with Transcript" to transcribe your YouTube video and get a text version.
Can I add subtitles to my YouTube video?
Yes, you can add Subtitles to your YouTube video alongside a transcript. Kapwing's online platform not only transcribes videos but also allows you to auto-add subtitles.
How accurate are YouTube's transcripts?
Although YouTube provides automatic transcript generation, the accuracy of the platform's generation can vary widely from video to video. On average, YouTube generates transcripts that are about 60-70% accurate. Our YouTube Transcript Generator bridges the gap, providing you with highly accurate transcripts on every video, improving accessibility and user experience across your channel.
Is there a limit to the video length for transcription?
You can generate transcripts for YouTube videos up to 2 hours long. Longer videos may require trimming or breaking into smaller segments before uploading, especially on free plans. Paid plans offer more flexibility and faster processing for long-form content.
Can ChatGPT transcribe YouTube videos?
ChatGPT can help analyze or format a transcript if you already have the text, but it cannot directly transcribe YouTube videos or extract audio. For that, you’ll need a dedicated tool like Kapwing’s YouTube Transcript Generator, which can automatically convert video or audio into editable text.
Will this help with YouTube SEO?
Absolutely. Uploading a clean transcript or subtitle file helps YouTube and Google index your content better, improving discoverability and potentially increasing views.
Can I translate my transcript into other languages?
Yes, Kapwing supports translation into 100+ languages via the Subtitles tab, allowing you to repurpose content and reach international audiences. You can download subtitles transcripts as VTT, TXT, or SRT files.
What file formats can I export my transcript in?
You can export your YouTube transcript as a TXT file using the Transcript tool. To export in SRT or VTT, switch to the Subtitles tool.
What's different about Kapwing?
Kapwing is free to use for teams of any size. We also offer paid plans with additional features, storage, and support.