YouTube transcript
Turn a YouTube video into an editable transcript.
Import captions you already have access to, or upload a video file you are allowed to use. Get timestamps, speaker labels and TXT, Markdown or SRT export — without a hidden audio downloader.
Two honest paths
How to get a YouTube transcript here.
CastTranscript does not scrape YouTube audio from a public URL. Use the path that matches the rights you already have.
Import existing captions
If the video has captions you can access, paste the YouTube URL plus the caption text (SRT, VTT or plain text). Cue timing is preserved when the file has it.
Or upload the file
If you own the video or have permission to process it, download it and upload the MP4/MOV/WebM. We transcribe the audio track with the same editor as podcasts.
Edit and export
Fix names, rename speakers, click any line to hear it, then export TXT, Markdown, SRT or VTT.
Why not “paste any YouTube link”?
A public URL is not permission to download the audio.
Many “YouTube transcript” tools promise to fetch any video. That usually means an unofficial downloader. CastTranscript keeps two clean workflows instead: caption import for text you already have, and media upload for files you are authorized to process.
What you get
- Editable document. Not just a wall of captions — speakers, search, find-and-replace.
- Real timing. SRT/VTT exports use cue or sentence timing that already exists; we do not invent cues for plain text.
- Private workspace. Transcripts stay in your account and are not indexed.
Need a podcast instead? Paste an Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS link — public episode audio comes from the show's feed.
Authorized media
Upload a YouTube video you can process.
Use this when you own the recording, have a license, or exported the file yourself. MP4, MOV and WebM are accepted; the audio track is transcribed.
- MP3, M4A, WAV, MP4, MOV, WebMUp to 2 GB or 3 hours per file. Audio is prepared in your browser where possible.
- The same editor as link transcriptsTimestamps, speaker names, chapters, show notes and every export format.
Drop in the video file
MP3, M4A, WAV, MP4, MOV or WebM · up to 3 hours
or drag and drop it anywhere herePricing
Try it on a real episode first.
Paste a link and read a free preview without signing up. A free account adds 10 minutes. After that you pay by the hour, with no seat fees.
Enough to check accuracy on your show before you pay.
Precision 60-language engine, custom vocabulary, chapters & show notes.
One-time top-up packs for occasional episodes and uneven workloads.
Questions, answered
YouTube transcript questions
Can CastTranscript download audio from any YouTube URL?
No. A public YouTube link is treated as context for caption import, not as permission to fetch the audio. If you need a transcript from the media itself, upload a file you are allowed to process.
How do I import YouTube captions?
Open the caption import tool, paste the YouTube URL and the caption text (SRT, WebVTT or plain text). Timed formats keep their cue structure in the editor.
Can I export a YouTube transcript as SRT?
Yes when the import or transcription has real timing. Plain untimed caption text can be edited and exported as TXT or Markdown, but CastTranscript will not invent subtitle cues.
Is this free?
Caption import and a short upload preview work without paying. A free account includes 10 minutes; paid plans start at $9 for 10 hours that never expire.
What about podcasts on YouTube?
If the same episode is published as a podcast with a public RSS feed, paste the Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS link on the home page instead — that path fetches public feed audio.
Private by default
Get the YouTube text into an editor.
Import captions you can already access, or upload an authorized video file.