Subtitles are useful far beyond watching: you can read a lecture instead of rewatching it, search a long interview for one quote, translate a video for a friend, or load captions into a video editor. YouTube shows subtitles in the player but has no download button for them, and copying the transcript panel by hand loses the timing. This guide explains how to download YouTube subtitles as an SRT or VTT file, or get the whole video transcript as plain text, from the video link.
Subtitles, automatic captions and transcripts
| Type | Who made it | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Subtitles | the creator or volunteers | accurate, with punctuation |
| Automatic captions | YouTube speech recognition | good for clear speech, weaker with music, accents and names |
| Transcript | the same text without timing | best for reading and searching |
Many videos have only automatic captions. They are marked as auto in the list, so you always know which kind you are downloading.
The three formats
- SRT — the most common subtitle file. Every line has a number, a start and end time, and the text. VLC, most TV players and video editors open it.
- VTT — the web format used by HTML5 players. Choose it if you are putting subtitles on a website.
- TXT — plain text without timestamps: a ready-made transcript you can paste into notes, a document or a translator.
How to download YouTube subtitles
- Copy the YouTube video link: "Share" → "Copy link", or from the address bar.
- Open Skachok and paste the link.
- Press "Find" and open the Subtitles tab on the video card.
- Pick the language and the format: SRT, VTT or TXT.
- Download the file.
The list shows every subtitle language the video offers, including automatic captions, which are marked "auto". Subtitle downloads are part of paid plans starting with Lite at $1.99 a month, and they do not count toward your daily download limit. After you register, the Pro plan is free for 2 days, so you can try it first.
Getting a transcript of a YouTube video
A transcript is simply the subtitles without timing. Download the TXT format and you get the whole text in one file. A few tips:
- Choose the creator's subtitles over automatic captions when both exist: they have punctuation and correct names.
- For lectures, paste the TXT into your notes app and add headings as you read: it is much faster than watching at double speed.
- For research, the text is searchable: find the minute you need, then jump to that point in the video.
- For translation, paste the TXT into a translator. For a translated video you can watch, use SRT instead: translate the file and keep the timing.
Using SRT files with a downloaded video
If you also download the video, you can watch it with subtitles offline:
- VLC: give the SRT file the same name as the video and put them in one folder; VLC loads it automatically. Or drag the SRT onto the playing video.
- Smart TV: many TVs pick up an SRT with the same name next to the MP4 on a USB stick.
- Video editors: Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, CapCut desktop and most others import SRT as a caption track you can restyle.
Download the video itself on the same card: up to 720p is free, 1080p is on Lite.
Languages and auto-translation
YouTube can show auto-translated captions in the player, but they are generated on the fly. The list in the Subtitles tab shows the tracks that exist for the video: the creator's languages and the automatic captions of the spoken language. If you need another language, download the SRT and translate it; keep the numbers and timestamps untouched so the file stays valid.
Subtitles for other platforms
The Subtitles tab appears wherever the platform provides captions in a form the service can read; YouTube is the most common case. If the tab is missing, the video has no subtitles you can download.
Prices
| Plan | Price | Subtitles | Video quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | — | up to 720p |
| Lite | $1.99/mo | SRT, VTT, TXT | up to 1080p |
| Pro | $3.99/mo | SRT, VTT, TXT | up to 1440p |
| Max | $5.99/mo | SRT, VTT, TXT | up to 4K |
No automatic renewal: a plan simply ends when its time is up. Details are on the pricing page.
Using subtitles responsibly
Subtitles written by a creator are part of their work. Using them for your own study, accessibility or a private translation is fine. Republishing someone else's subtitles or transcript as your own content needs permission.
When there is no Subtitles tab
- The video has no captions at all: some videos, especially music or very short clips, have neither subtitles nor automatic captions.
- Captions are still processing: automatic captions for a fresh upload can take a few hours to appear.
- The link points to a channel or playlist: open a single video and copy its link.
FAQ
How do I download subtitles from a YouTube video?
Paste the video link into Skachok, open the Subtitles tab, choose a language and SRT, VTT or TXT, and download. Subtitles are part of paid plans starting with Lite.
Can I download YouTube automatic captions?
Yes. Automatic captions appear in the list marked "auto" and download in the same formats.
How do I get a transcript of a YouTube video?
Download the subtitles in TXT format: it is the full text of the video without timestamps.
Do subtitle downloads count toward my daily limit?
No. Subtitle downloads do not count toward the daily download limit.
How do I play a downloaded video with SRT subtitles?
Give the SRT the same name as the video and keep both in one folder. VLC and many TVs load it automatically.