Convert a YouTube video to clean text
Paste a YouTube link to turn what is said into plain text. Switch timestamps off to drop the time markers, then copy the words into your notes, a document or an AI chat.
How to use it
- 1Paste the YouTube link into the box and select Get transcript.
- 2Turn the Timestamps switch off to remove the time markers.
- 3Select Copy, then paste the text wherever you need it.
Example: the same text with and without timestamps
This is the opening of a short example video about making coffee. Copy follows the Timestamps switch: on, each line keeps its time; off, you get the words alone.
[0:00] Good coffee needs three things: fresh beans, clean water and a little time. [0:09] Heat the water until it is hot, but not boiling. [0:21] Pour a little water on the coffee first, then wait 30 seconds.
Good coffee needs three things: fresh beans, clean water and a little time. Heat the water until it is hot, but not boiling. Pour a little water on the coffee first, then wait 30 seconds.
Clean text for notes and AI tools
With timestamps off there are no time markers to delete, so the text pastes cleanly into a document, a study sheet or a chat with an AI assistant such as ChatGPT or Claude. A long video makes a long text: if your tool has a size limit, paste one section at a time. Use the search box first when you only need the part where something was said.
Get the script of a YouTube video
Many people call this the video's script: every word that is said, in order. Turn timestamps off, copy it, and you have the script to quote, translate or study. It is the spoken text, so it does not include on-screen titles or scene notes.
Where the text comes from
The text is read from the video's own captions, written by the uploader or generated by YouTube, so it appears in seconds and the video is not downloaded. A YouTube video with no captions cannot be converted. TikTok, Instagram Reels and uploaded files are different: their audio is transcribed on their own pages.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a YouTube video to text?
Paste the video's link into the box above and select Get transcript. The text appears with a timestamp on every line, which you can hide before copying.
How do I copy a YouTube transcript without timestamps?
Get the transcript here, turn the Timestamps switch off and select Copy. The clipboard then holds the words only, one caption per line. The panel on YouTube itself shows the text beside the video, but you have to select it by hand.
Can I use a YouTube transcript with ChatGPT or Claude?
Yes. Turn timestamps off, select Copy and paste the text into the chat with your question. For a long video, paste one part at a time if the chat says the text is too long. With Basic or Pro you can also ask questions about the video here, and each answer comes with the timestamps it is based on.
Why does my video say there are no captions?
The tool reads the captions that already exist on the video. If the uploader turned them off and YouTube has not generated any, there is nothing to read. Private, age-restricted and unavailable videos cannot be read either.
Is the text accurate?
It is as accurate as the captions. Uploader-written captions are usually very good. Automatic captions can mishear names and technical terms, and the page tells you which kind you are reading.
Does it work for videos in other languages?
Yes. You get the text in the video's own language, as long as captions exist. Use the SRT translator if you need it translated.
Is it free?
Yes. You can convert up to 3 YouTube videos a day without an account. Basic and Pro have no daily limit.