How to transcribe YouTube video on desktop

Whether you're in quiet space, forgot your headphones, or want to review video's content quickly, transcripts work very well
A representational image of YouTube logo. — Canva
A representational image of YouTube logo. — Canva

Transcripts make it easy to understand and engage with video content, even when you can't watch with sound. Whether you're in a quiet space, forgot your headphones, or want to review a video's content quickly, transcripts work very well in these times.

In this step-by-step guide, you will get to know how to transcribe a YouTube video like a pro, making it easy to access and understand the content whenever and wherever you need it.

Step-by-step guide

Method 1: Using YouTube's auto-generated captions

  1. Open YouTube on your desktop and find the video you want to transcribe.
  2. Click on the "CC" button (Closed Captions) below the video.
  3. Select your language and click on the "English (auto-generated)" option.
  4. The captions will appear on the screen. You can copy and paste them into a document or text file.

Note: Auto-generated captions may not be entirely accurate, so you may need to edit them.

Read more: Apple iOS 18 — How to enable and use new ‘Eye Tracking’ feature on iOS devices

Method 2: Using transcription software

  1. Choose a transcription software like Otter, Transcribe, or Rev.
  2. Open the software and create an account or log in.
  3. Upload the YouTube video or enter the video URL.
  4. Select the transcription settings (e.g., language, formatting).
  5. Click "Transcribe" to start the transcription process.
  6. Wait for the transcription to complete (depending on the video length).
  7. Edit and review the transcript for accuracy.
  8. Export the transcript as a text file or document.