How To Get The Transcript Of A YouTube Video

Stuart Williams
By Stuart Williams 16 Min Read

Hey there! Have you ever been super into a YouTube video but couldn’t quite catch what was being said? Maybe you’re in a noisy place, like on a subway, or you’re trying to understand a video without sound. That’s where YouTube transcripts come to the rescue! These nifty transcripts are like secret superpowers for anyone who has trouble hearing or just can’t play the video out loud.

Imagine being able to read everything that’s being said in a video, just like reading a book. Pretty cool, right? That’s exactly what a transcript does. It’s like having the video’s script right in front of you, without even needing to hit the play button.

Are you curious about how you can get these transcripts, especially on different gadgets like phones or tablets? If you’re nodding your head, then you’re in the right place! Stick with me, and I’ll guide you through the awesome world of YouTube transcripts. Let’s dive in and discover how to make the most out of your YouTube experience, no matter where you are or what device you’re using!

How to Find the Transcript of a YouTube Video on a Computer

Wanna know a cool trick for getting transcripts of YouTube videos on your computer? It’s actually pretty simple, but there’s a catch – not every video has a transcript. You see, transcripts are only available for videos with closed captioning. That’s the text you sometimes see at the bottom of videos, helping people understand what’s being said.

Here’s a little secret: Some videos have transcripts automatically created by YouTube, but they can be a bit wonky and not always spot-on. The best ones are those that video creators make themselves – they’re usually way more accurate!

The quality of these transcripts can vary a lot. It depends on how clear the sound is, if there are any strong accents, or specific ways of speaking in the video. But don’t worry, I’ll walk you through the steps to find a transcript if the video has closed captioning:

  1. Start Your Adventure: Open up your favorite web browser and head over to YouTube.
  2. Log In for More Fun: Make sure you’re logged into your account.
  3. Pick Your Video: Play the video you want a transcript for.
  4. Discover the Hidden Menu: Below the video, look for three little horizontal dots and click on them.
  5. Reveal the Transcript: Choose ‘Open transcript’ from the menu.
  6. Read Along: Ta-da! You’ll see the transcript pop up right beside the video.

When you look at the transcript, you might see ‘English’ at the bottom. If you click on it, you could find different language options, including ‘English (Auto-generated)’. Here’s a pro tip: always go for ‘English’ rather than the ‘Auto-generated’ one to get the best accuracy.

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How to Download the CC Transcript of a YouTube Video

Ever watched a super helpful YouTube video, like a cooking tutorial, and wished you could keep the transcript for later? Maybe to follow a recipe step by step? Well, guess what? You can actually download the transcript, even though there’s no direct ‘Download’ button. Let me show you how it’s done!

  1. Reveal the Transcript: First, make sure you’ve got the transcript showing on YouTube (just like we talked about earlier).
  2. Find the Magic Dots: Now, look for three little dots in the top right corner of the transcript box.
  3. Wave Goodbye to Time Stamps: Click on those dots and select ‘Toggle timestamps’. This will make sure your transcript doesn’t have all those time codes in it.
  4. Select It Like a Pro: Next, highlight the transcript text just like you would select any text on a webpage.
  5. Ready to Copy: Right-click on your selected transcript. If you’re on a Windows computer, click ‘Copy’. If you’re using a Mac, it’s the same deal.
  6. Choose Your Destination: Now, open the app where you want to keep the transcript. It could be Notes, Word, or any other text app you like.
  7. Paste and Voilà: Right-click in the app and choose ‘Paste’. Or use keyboard shortcuts – Ctrl + V for Windows, Cmd + V for Mac.

And there you have it! The entire YouTube transcript is now ready for you in your chosen app. You can save it, print it, or use it however you need. Whether it’s following that delicious recipe or keeping track of important info, you’ve got the transcript right at your fingertips!

How to Get the Transcript of a YouTube Video on Phones

Got your phone and want to read along with a YouTube video? It’s a bit different from doing it on a computer, but no worries! I’ll guide you through it. While phones don’t have the same transcript feature as computers, you can still turn on CC (Closed Captions) to read what’s being said. This is super handy when you can’t listen to the audio or just prefer reading.

Most of the time, these captions are pretty accurate, though there might be a few errors here and there. Also, depending on the video, you might find captions in different languages, which is great if English isn’t your first language.

Let’s jump into the steps to turn on CC on your phone:

  1. Open the YouTube App: Grab your phone and open the YouTube app. It’s where all the video magic happens!
  2. Find Your Video: Search for the video you want to watch. Once you’ve found it, tap to start playing it.
  3. Discover Hidden Options: Look for three little dots in the upper right corner of the video. Tap on those.
  4. Turn On Captions: A menu will pop up. Here, choose ‘Captions’. You’ll then see a list of available languages for the captions.
  5. Pick Your Language: Select the language you want for the captions.
  6. Watch and Read: Tap anywhere on the screen to close the menu. Now, play the video and you’ll see the captions right there on your screen.

And just like that, you can read everything being said in the video, right from your phone! Whether you’re on the go, in a noisy place, or just prefer reading, this feature makes sure you don’t miss a thing.

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How to Get the Transcript of a YouTube Video on Computers

Prefer to see the words right on the video while watching YouTube on your computer? No problem! Turning on captions (also known as Closed Captions or CC) is super easy and really helpful, especially if you’re in a place where you can’t play the sound. Here’s a quick guide to get those captions up and running:

  1. Start Your Journey: First, open your favorite web browser and head over to YouTube. This is where all the fun begins!
  2. Find Your Video: Choose the video you want to watch and play it.
  3. Locate the Settings Icon: On the video player, you’ll see a little gear icon. This is the settings button, and it’s your key to turning on captions.
  4. Dive into Settings: Click on that gear icon. A menu will pop up with several options.
  5. Turn On Subtitles/CC: In the menu, click on ‘Subtitles/CC’. It’s like opening a treasure chest of words!
  6. Choose Your Language: You’ll see a list of languages available for captions. Pick the one you need.
  7. Enjoy Your Video with Captions: Just tap anywhere on the screen to exit the settings menu. Now, the captions will appear right on your video as it plays.

And there you go! Whether you’re learning a new language, in a noisy café, or just like reading along, turning on captions on your computer is a breeze. Now, you won’t miss a single word of your favorite YouTube videos!

How to Get the Transcript of a YouTube Video for Every Video

Love watching YouTube videos with captions? Good news! You don’t have to turn on Closed Captions (CC) for each video separately if you’re watching on your computer. You can set YouTube to always show captions on every video. It’s a great time-saver and super convenient. Here’s how to make it happen:

  1. Begin the Adventure: Open your web browser and head over to YouTube. This is your starting point.
  2. Access Your Account: Make sure you’re logged into your YouTube account. This is important because the setting we’re about to change is linked to your account.
  3. Find Your Profile Picture: Look at the top right corner of the YouTube page. You’ll see your profile picture there. Click on it to open a new menu.
  4. Enter the Settings Zone: In the menu that pops up, scroll down until you find ‘Settings’. Click on it to dive deeper into your YouTube preferences.
  5. Discover Playback Options: On the left side of the Settings page, you’ll find a list of options. Look for ‘Playback and performance’ and click on it.
  6. Turn On Automatic Captions: Now, you’re in the right place to make the magic happen. Under ‘Subtitles and Closed Captions’, look for an option that says ‘Always show captions’. Enable it with a click.
  7. Enjoy Effortless Captions: That’s it! From now on, every video you play on your computer will automatically display subtitles.

Now, you can enjoy captions on all your videos without lifting a finger each time. It’s perfect for making sure you never miss a word, no matter what video you’re watching!

How to Transcribe a YouTube Video With Google Docs

Sometimes, you might stumble upon a YouTube video without a transcript, and you really want one. Don’t worry! You can create your own transcript using Google Docs and its super cool voice typing feature. It’s like having a robot friend who listens to the video and types out what it hears for you. The result might not be perfect, but you can always tweak it later. Here’s how to do it:

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Step-by-Step Guide to Transcribing YouTube Videos with Google Docs:

  1. Kickoff with Google Docs: Open Google Docs in your browser. It’s your starting point for this transcription journey.
  2. Find the Transcription Tool: Once in Google Docs, click on the ‘Tools’ tab in the main menu at the top. A list of options will appear.
  3. Activate Voice Typing: In the tools menu, select ‘Voice typing’. This action will bring up a small microphone icon on the left side of your document.
  4. Prepare Your Video: Now, head over to YouTube and find the video you want to transcribe.
  5. Start the Transcription: Go back to your Google Docs tab. Click on that microphone icon when you’re ready.
  6. Let the Magic Happen: Play the YouTube video. As the video plays, Google Docs will listen and start typing out what it hears.

Keep in Mind:

  • Time Matters: The transcription will take as long as the video. So, for a 30-minute video, it’ll take 30 minutes to transcribe.
  • Language Options: Google Docs isn’t limited to English. You can transcribe in other languages too! Click on the dropdown menu above the microphone icon to choose from various languages.

Here’s How to Change Languages:

  1. Access Language Options: After enabling voice typing, look for a dropdown menu above the microphone.
  2. Select Your Language: Click on it, and you’ll see a list of all the languages Google Docs can transcribe in.
  3. Choose and Go: Pick the language you need for your transcription.

And there you have it! With Google Docs, you can turn any YouTube video into a written transcript, even in different languages. It’s like having your own personal transcriptionist, just a few clicks away!

Wrapping It Up: The Handy Skill of Transcribing YouTube Videos

And that’s a wrap! Learning how to transcribe YouTube videos is a super useful skill, and not just for those who have trouble hearing. It’s like a secret hack for those times when you’re dying to watch a video but just can’t catch the audio. Maybe you’re in a noisy subway or a bustling café, or perhaps the person in the video is hard to understand.

These transcription tricks we’ve talked about are here to save your day! They let you read what’s being said, making it easier to follow along no matter where you are or what’s happening around you. Plus, it’s a fun way to engage with videos in a whole new way.

So, have you given these transcription methods a try yet? How did it go? Was the transcript clear and accurate? I’d love to hear about your experiences and any cool discoveries you made along the way. Drop your stories and thoughts in the comments section below. Your feedback is super valuable, and who knows, your tips might help someone else out too!

Remember, whether it’s using YouTube’s built-in features or getting creative with Google Docs, you’ve got the tools to unlock the words behind any video. Happy transcribing!

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Hey, I'm Stuart, a tech enthusiast and writing expert. With a passion for technology, I specialize in crafting in-depth articles, reviews, and affiliate content. In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, I've witnessed how the age of the internet has transformed technology journalism. Even in the era of social media and video marketing, reading articles remains crucial for gaining valuable insights and staying informed. Join me as we explore the exciting realm of tech together!
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