Download YouTube Subtitles as SRT (3 Free Methods)

Downloading YouTube subtitles as SRT files is easy with free online tools. The fastest method: paste a video URL into NoteLM.ai's Subtitle Downloader, select SRT format, and download in seconds. This guide covers three proven methods that work in 2026, plus tips for using your downloaded subtitles.

Key Takeaways

• Method 1 (Fastest): Online tools like NoteLM.ai—paste URL, download SRT in 3 seconds
• Method 2 (No tools): YouTube Studio—works only for your own videos
• Method 3 (Power users): yt-dlp command line—best for batch downloads
• SRT format works with VLC, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and all major video software
• Both auto-generated and manual subtitles can be downloaded

Method 1: Online Subtitle Downloader (Recommended)

Online tools are the fastest way to download YouTube subtitles for any public video.

Using NoteLM.ai (Free & Fast)

Step 1: Copy the YouTube video URL

From the video page, copy the URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

Step 2: Open NoteLM.ai Subtitle Downloader

Visit the YouTube Subtitle Downloader tool.

Step 3: Paste and configure

• Paste URL in the input field
• Select language (if multiple available)
• Choose SRT as output format

Step 4: Download

Click download and save the .srt file to your computer.

Timing & Results

Why This Method Is Best

✅ Works with any public YouTube video

✅ No software installation required

✅ No account or login needed

✅ Free unlimited downloads

✅ Multiple format options (SRT, VTT, TXT)

✅ Works on mobile devices

Method 2: YouTube Studio (For Your Own Videos)

If you want subtitles from videos you've uploaded to YouTube, you can download them directly from YouTube Studio.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Access YouTube Studio

Go to studio.youtube.com and sign in.

Step 2: Navigate to Subtitles

Click "Subtitles" in the left sidebar.

Step 3: Select your video

Find and click on the video you want subtitles from.

Step 4: Download subtitles

• Click on the language/caption track
• Click the three-dot menu (⋯)
• Select "Download" and choose format

Available Download Formats

Limitations

❌ Only works for videos on YOUR channel

❌ Cannot download from other creators' videos

❌ Requires YouTube account

Method 3: Command Line (yt-dlp)

For power users and batch downloads, yt-dlp is the most flexible option.

Installing yt-dlp

Windows (with pip):

pip install yt-dlp

Mac (with Homebrew):

brew install yt-dlp

Linux:

sudo apt install yt-dlp
# or
pip install yt-dlp

Basic Subtitle Download Commands

Download English subtitles as SRT:

yt-dlp --write-sub --sub-lang en --sub-format srt --skip-download "VIDEO_URL"

Download auto-generated subtitles:

yt-dlp --write-auto-sub --sub-lang en --sub-format srt --skip-download "VIDEO_URL"

Download all available subtitle languages:

yt-dlp --all-subs --sub-format srt --skip-download "VIDEO_URL"

Batch Download from Playlist

Create a text file with video URLs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO3

Download all subtitles:

yt-dlp --write-sub --sub-lang en --sub-format srt --skip-download -a urls.txt

When to Use Command Line

✅ Downloading subtitles from many videos

✅ Automating subtitle downloads

✅ Integrating into scripts/workflows

✅ Maximum flexibility and control

Understanding SRT File Format

SRT Structure

1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,500
Hello and welcome to this video tutorial.

2
00:00:04,500 --> 00:00:08,200
Today we're going to learn about
downloading YouTube subtitles.

3
00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:12,000
Let's start with the first method.

Components Explained

Time Format

HH:MM:SS,mmm
│  │  │  └── Milliseconds (000-999)
│  │  └───── Seconds (00-59)
│  └──────── Minutes (00-59)
└─────────── Hours (00+)

Comparing the 3 Methods

Using Downloaded SRT Files

With Video Players

VLC Media Player:

1. 1.Open video file
2. 2.Go to Subtitle → Add Subtitle File
3. 3.Select your .srt file
4. 4.Subtitles appear automatically

mpv player:

1. 1.Place .srt file in same folder as video
2. 2.Name it identically (video.mp4 → video.srt)
3. 3.Open video—subtitles load automatically

With Video Editors

Adobe Premiere Pro:

1. 1.File → Import → Select .srt file
2. 2.Drag to timeline
3. 3.Subtitles appear as text clips
4. 4.Edit timing/styling as needed

DaVinci Resolve:

1. 1.File → Import → Subtitle → Select .srt
2. 2.Subtitles appear in Media Pool
3. 3.Drag to timeline
4. 4.Use Inspector to edit styling

CapCut:

1. 1.Import video
2. 2.Click "Text" → "Auto Captions"
3. 3.Or import .srt manually via "Subtitles"

For Translation

Using DeepL or Google Translate:

1. 1.Open .srt file in text editor
2. 2.Copy text content (keep timestamps)
3. 3.Translate text
4. 4.Paste back with original timestamps
5. 5.Review and adjust as needed

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"No Subtitles Found"

Possible causes:

• Video has no captions enabled
• Video is too new (auto-captions take 12-24 hours)
• Subtitles disabled by creator

Solutions:

• Wait for auto-caption generation
• Try different language options
• Check if captions are visible on YouTube first

Wrong Timing/Sync Issues

Causes:

• Auto-generated captions have timing errors
• Video was edited after captioning

Solutions:

• Use subtitle editor software (Aegisub, Subtitle Edit)
• Manually shift all timecodes
• Re-sync with audio

Encoding Problems (Strange Characters)

Solution:

1. 1.Open .srt in text editor
2. 2.Save As → Change encoding to UTF-8
3. 3.Use the UTF-8 encoded file

Download Fails Repeatedly

Checklist:

• ✅ Is the video public?
• ✅ Does the video have captions enabled?
• ✅ Is your internet connection stable?
• ✅ Try a different browser or tool

Advanced Tips

Converting Between Formats

SRT to VTT:

# Using ffmpeg
ffmpeg -i subtitles.srt subtitles.vtt

Online conversion:

Many free online converters handle SRT ↔ VTT ↔ TXT conversions.

Merging Multiple SRT Files

For videos with multiple subtitle parts:

1. 1.Open all .srt files
2. 2.Adjust sequence numbers (continue from last)
3. 3.Adjust timestamps if needed
4. 4.Combine into single file

Creating Bilingual Subtitles

1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,500
Hello and welcome to this video.
大家好，欢迎收看本视频。

2
00:00:04,500 --> 00:00:08,200
Today we're learning about subtitles.
今天我们学习字幕相关内容。

Quick Summary:

• Fastest for single videos: NoteLM.ai (paste URL → download)
• For your own videos: YouTube Studio
• For batch downloads: yt-dlp command line

Start downloading subtitles now:

1. 1.Copy your YouTube video URL
2. 2.Paste into NoteLM.ai
3. 3.Select SRT format
4. 4.Download and use

Your subtitle file is ready in seconds.

Try NoteLM.ai Subtitle Downloader →

Related Resources:

• YouTube Subtitle Downloader: Complete Guide
• Best YouTube Subtitle Editors
• How to Fix YouTube Subtitle Timing Issues