Whether you’re a student trying to study more efficiently, a researcher gathering data, or someone who just likes to read along while watching videos, having transcripts can be incredibly useful.
Unfortunately, YouTube doesn’t offer transcripts or closed captions for every video. But there are still ways to get transcribed text for most YouTube videos, both on desktop and mobile.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting transcripts for YouTube on any device.
Checking if YouTube Has Built-In Transcripts/Captions
Before looking at third-party tools, it’s worth checking if the video you want to transcribe already has closed captions or a transcript provided by the creator or YouTube’s voice recognition system.
On Desktop:
- Go to the video page on YouTube.
2. Click the “CC” button at the bottom right to see if there are any available subtitles or closed captions.
3. If transcripts are listed, you can click on that option, and the transcript will display in a sidebar you can scroll through.
On Mobile:
- In the YouTube app, start playing the video.
2. Tap the three vertical dots menu icon.
3. Select “Captions” to see if any subtitle options are available.
4. If there is a transcript listed, you can view it by tapping the transcript option.
If the video doesn’t have any built-in transcripts, don’t worry—there are still good ways to get one using third-party tools and services.
Using YouTube’s Voice Recognition to Get Transcripts
YouTube has an automated voice recognition system that can generate transcripts, but it doesn’t make them available for every video. However, there’s a trick to get these transcripts if the video is eligible.
On Desktop:
- Go to the video page and enable viewer ratings under the video title.
2. Then open the MoreTranscriptMenu by clicking the three horizontal dots below the video player.
3. Select “Show transcript” or “Transcripción” (if in Spanish).
4. The transcript will open in the right-hand sidebar.
On Mobile:
Unfortunately, YouTube’s mobile apps do not currently offer a way to access voice recognition transcripts. You’ll need to use a third-party tool.
The caveat with YouTube’s voice recognition is that it relies on consistent, clear audio, so transcripts may be incomplete or contain errors, especially for videos with background noise, accents, multiple speakers, etc. It’s also not available for many videos. But it’s a quick, free way to get a workable transcript if you can access it.
Using Third-Party Transcription Tools for YouTube
If YouTube doesn’t offer any built-in transcripts for the video you want, you can use any of the following third-party tools and web apps to generate a transcript from the audio.
Rev ($1.25/min)
Rev is one of the premium transcription services that uses a combination of AI and human reviewers to generate highly accurate transcripts. To use it:
- Go to rev.com and sign up.
2. Click “Order Transcript.”
3. Enter the YouTube video URL.
4. Rev will process the order (typically $1.25 per min of audio).
5. You’ll get a timed, interactive transcript delivered in text or PDF
The quality is extremely high, making Rev ideal for professional uses like legal transcripts, though it is fairly pricey.
Otter.ai (Free and Paid Plans)
Otter.ai is a popular transcription web app with both free and paid plan options.
- Go to otter.ai and sign up.
2. Click “New Transcript.”
3. Choose to transcribe an audio or video file.
4. Enter the YouTube link and click “Transcribe.”
5. Otter will process the video and sync the transcript.
You can edit and annotate the interactive transcript. The free plan has 600 minutes per month, while paid plans start at $8.33/mo for more minutes.
Transcribe (Free Browser Extension)
Transcribe is a free Chrome extension that generates transcripts in your browser. The quality can vary, but it’s quick and convenient.
- Install the Transcribe extension.
2. Go to the YouTube video page.
3. Click the Transcribe extension icon.
4. Click “Transcribe Audio” to generate and sync the transcript.
The extension can have some accuracy issues, but it’s totally free, so it’s worth trying.
Microsoft Word Online (Free Auto Transcribe)
Surprisingly, Microsoft Word’s web app has a free built-in transcription tool you can use:
- Openword.online.microsoft.com in a browser
2. Click “Dictate” > “Transcribe” in the top ribbon.
3. Click the upload icon and paste the YouTube video URL.
4. Word will process the audio and transcribe it in a new document.
It’s convenient for quickly getting an editable transcript right in Microsoft Word. Just be patient, as larger files can take a while to process.
Manual Transcription
Of course, the most laborious but potentially most accurate method is to manually transcribe a video yourself or outsource to a human transcriptionist. This is best reserved for very important audio where you need a flawless transcript. Popular services include Rev, Scribie, and TranscribeMe.
Tips for Better Transcription Accuracy
When relying on AI-generated transcripts, the accuracy can suffer due to factors like background noise, accents, multiple speakers, audio quality issues, etc. Here are some tips to maximize accuracy:
- Use powered by voice recognition or post-production transcripts when available, as they tend to be more accurate.
• Run audio through an audio clean-up tool to reduce noise first.
• Try different transcription services as some may handle your audio better
• Stick to clear, consistent audio with minimal noise for maximum accuracy.
• Be prepared to do some manual editing for proper names, terminology, etc.
Getting Transcripts for Foreign Language YouTube Videos
Many of the same transcription services also work for generating translated transcripts in all other languages. For example:
- Rev offers transcripts in Spanish, French, German, and 10+ other languages.
• Otter supports dozens of languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, etc.
• Microsoft Word Transcribe has language options like Spanish, French, German, and more.
So if you need a transcript in a foreign language, just specify that language option in your service of choice. The same tools and tips apply.
See Also: Wireless Headphones are now on the Market
Transcripts Increase Accessibility and Comprehension
While it requires a little extra effort, getting transcripts for YouTube videos can go a long way in boosting accessibility, enhancing comprehension, and creating content you can more easily search and reference later. With both free and paid tools available for desktop and mobile, there’s no excuse not to take advantage of video transcripts.
Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to quickly generate a handy transcript for any YouTube video across all your devices. Making the most of video content has never been easier.
