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YouTube transcript generator

Get the transcript of a YouTube video by pasting its link into the dashboard. transcript1 uses available captions first and AI speech-to-text when there is no usable caption track. Read the result, copy it or download a file.

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  • YouTube captions or AI speech-to-text
  • Read, copy and download in the dashboard
  • 1 credit per audio minute, rounded up

How it works

Start with the video link
Paste a YouTube URL in the dashboard or send it through the API. Each request creates a transcript for one video.
Use available captions
The default source=auto uses a usable caption track first. If none exists, transcript1 transcribes the audio.
Choose speech-to-text
Set source=stt to transcribe the audio even when captions exist. Set source=captions to use captions only.
Read with timestamps
The transcript includes segment times so you can find a passage in the recording.
Take the transcript with you
Copy the text or download TXT, SRT, VTT or JSON from the dashboard. The API returns the same formats.

Get started

Get a YouTube video transcript in the dashboard

Sign in and paste the video link. Start transcription, then open the completed result to read it. Developers can send the same URL through the REST API.

cURL
curl -X POST "https://api.transcript1.com/v1/transcriptions?wait=60" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TRANSCRIPT1_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"platform":"youtube","url":"https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ"}'

Speakers

Add speaker labels to your YouTube transcript

Enable speaker identification to get Speaker 1 and Speaker 2 labels. This uses AI speech-to-text instead of captions. In the API, send diarize=true; captions-only mode cannot be combined with speaker identification.

Request body
{
  "platform": "youtube",
  "url": "https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ",
  "source": "stt",
  "diarize": true
}

Start with 60 free minutes

60 free minutes after you verify your email. No card required.

Get your API key

Frequently asked questions

Something missing? Ask support

How do I get the transcript of a YouTube video?

Paste its URL into the transcript1 dashboard and start transcription. Open the completed result to read, copy or download it. You can also submit the URL through the API.

Does the YouTube transcript generator need captions?

No. With source=auto, transcript1 uses AI speech-to-text if there is no usable caption track. source=captions restricts the request to captions, while source=stt always transcribes the audio.

Can I download the generated transcript?

Yes. The dashboard offers TXT, SRT, VTT and JSON downloads. In the API, use format=text, srt, vtt or json when reading the completed transcript.

How much does a YouTube transcript cost?

1 credit per audio minute, rounded up, whether it uses captions or speech-to-text. New accounts get 60 free minutes once after email verification, with no card required. Failed and canceled transcriptions are not charged.

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