Free to tryReal transcription · Speaker labels · SRT, DOCX, PDF
Transcribe a YouTube video to text
Paste a link and get a timestamped transcript you can edit. It works even when the video has no captions.
- Free for 3 files a day, up to 30 minutes each
- Speaker labels
- Export to SRT, DOCX, PDF and more
Three steps. From link to text.
- 01
Paste the link
Copy a youtube.com, youtu.be or Shorts link and paste it in the box.
- 02
We transcribe the audio
NiceScribe runs speech-to-text on the video’s audio. It doesn’t copy YouTube’s captions, so it works when they are missing or wrong.
- 03
Edit, rename, export
Fix any words, rename the speakers once, then export the text or share a link.
Captions or transcription? Know the difference.
Caption extractors copy the captions YouTube already has. That is fast when the captions are good. When they are off, full of mistakes or have no speakers, you need speech-to-text on the audio itself.
| Feature | Caption extractors | YouTube Show transcript | NiceScribe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works when captions exist | Included | Included | Included |
| Works when captions are missing | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Labels who is speaking | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Gives you a file | Included | Not included | Included |
| Edit the text in the same place | Not included | Not included | Included |
Once you have the words. Put them to work.
Quote with timestamps
Find the exact moment someone said it, with the speaker’s name next to the line.
Subtitles for your edit
Export SRT or VTT and bring them into your video editor.
Notes and documents
Export DOCX or PDF for notes, or share a read-only link with someone else.
Summaries and questions
On Unlimited, you can summarize the transcript or ask it questions.
Formats and limits. No surprises.
- Free: 3 files a day, up to 30 minutes each, with every export format.
- Unlimited: $10 a month, billed yearly, for unlimited files and longer videos.
- Languages are detected automatically.
Respect the people who made it
Only transcribe videos you own, that are licensed for reuse such as Creative Commons, or that the creator has said you may use. Copyrighted music isn’t supported. NiceScribe isn’t affiliated with YouTube or Google.
Questions
How do I get a transcript from a YouTube video?
Paste the video’s link into the box above, log in or sign up, and start the transcription. When it’s done, edit the text and export it as DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT or CSV.
What if the video has no captions?
That’s fine. NiceScribe transcribes the audio itself instead of copying YouTube’s captions, so missing or wrong captions don’t matter.
Can I get speakers labeled and export SRT or DOCX?
Yes. Speakers are labeled, you can rename them once for the whole transcript, and you can export DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT or CSV.
Is it free? Do I need an account?
You need a free account to transcribe. Free covers 3 files a day, up to 30 minutes each. Unlimited is $10 a month, billed yearly.
Is this legal? Am I allowed to use this video?
It depends on the video. Transcribe only videos you own, that are licensed for reuse, or that the creator allows you to use. Copyrighted music isn’t supported.
Why do I have to log in to transcribe?
Transcription runs on our servers and the result is saved to your library so you can edit, export and share it. Downloading a video as MP3 or MP4 stays free without an account.
Does it work with Shorts and youtu.be links?
Yes. Paste any youtube.com, youtu.be or Shorts link.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. It runs in the browser on iPhone, Android and desktop, with nothing to install.
From link to transcript in minutes
Start with a YouTube link, or upload a file of your own.