YouTube to Text: Convert Any Video to Readable Text

The fastest way to convert YouTube videos to text is using NoteLM.ai's free YouTube Transcript Generator—paste the video URL and get the complete text with timestamps in seconds. For videos without captions, AI transcription tools like Otter.ai or Descript can generate text from audio. This guide covers 5 methods that work in 2026.

5 Methods to Convert YouTube to Text

Method 1: NoteLM.ai YouTube to Text (Fastest)

NoteLM.ai extracts existing YouTube captions and converts them to clean, formatted text.

Step-by-Step Process

Go to the video and copy the URL from your browser's address bar:

Navigate to NoteLM.ai's YouTube Transcript Generator.

1. 1.Paste the URL into the input field
2. 2.Click "Get Transcript"
3. 3.Wait 2-5 seconds

NoteLM.ai provides:

• Full transcript with timestamps
• Clean text format
• Copy to clipboard option
• Download as TXT file

Output Example

[0:00] Welcome to today's video about converting 
YouTube videos to text. In this guide, we'll 
cover the best methods available in 2026.

[0:15] First, let me explain why you might want 
to convert video to text. The main reasons are 
searchability, accessibility, and content repurposing.

[0:32] Let's start with the fastest method...

NoteLM.ai Features

When NoteLM.ai Works Best

✅ Video has captions (manual or auto-generated)

✅ You need text quickly

✅ You want timestamps

✅ You need to process multiple videos

When to Use Another Method

❌ Video has no captions at all

❌ You need custom transcription style

❌ Audio quality is very poor

Method 2: YouTube's Built-in Transcript

YouTube displays transcripts directly on video pages for videos with captions.

How to Access YouTube Transcript

How to Copy YouTube Transcript

1. 1.Click inside the transcript panel
2. 2.Press Ctrl+A (Cmd+A on Mac) to select all
3. 3.Press Ctrl+C (Cmd+C) to copy
4. 4.Paste into your document

Limitations of YouTube Method

• ❌ No timestamps when copying
• ❌ Awkward formatting
• ❌ No download option
• ❌ Must have video page open

Method 3: AI Transcription Services

For videos without captions, AI transcription services can convert audio to text.

How AI Transcription Works

1. 1.Download the video audio
2. 2.Upload to transcription service
3. 3.AI converts speech to text
4. 4.Edit and export transcript

Top AI Transcription Tools

Using Otter.ai for YouTube

• Use a YouTube to MP3 converter
• Or record audio while playing video

1. 1.Create free account
2. 2.Click "Import"
3. 3.Upload audio file
4. 4.Wait for processing

1. 1.Review transcript
2. 2.Fix any errors
3. 3.Export as TXT, DOCX, or SRT

Using OpenAI Whisper (Free, Technical)

For unlimited free transcription, use OpenAI's Whisper model:

# Install Whisper
pip install openai-whisper

# Transcribe audio file
whisper audio.mp3 --model medium

Whisper is free, runs locally, and supports 99 languages.

Method 4: Manual Transcription

When accuracy is critical or captions don't exist, manual transcription remains an option.

Manual Transcription Tips

1. Use Playback Speed Control

• Slow down to 0.75x or 0.5x
• Use YouTube's speed settings

2. Keyboard Shortcuts

• K: Play/pause
• J: Rewind 10 seconds
• L: Forward 10 seconds

3. Type in Short Bursts

• Listen to 10-15 seconds
• Pause and type
• Repeat

4. Use Voice Typing

• Google Docs: Tools > Voice typing
• Repeat what speaker says
• Faster than typing

Manual Transcription Time Estimates

Method 5: Professional Transcription Services

For business-critical content, professional services offer human accuracy.

When to Use Professional Services

• Legal or medical content requiring 99%+ accuracy
• Heavy accents or multiple speakers
• Poor audio quality
• Regulatory compliance requirements

Popular Services

Converting Text to Different Formats

Plain Text (TXT)

Best for:

• Simple reading
• Search and reference
• Note-taking input

Subtitle Format (SRT)

Best for:

• Adding captions to videos
• Translation projects
• Subtitle editing

SRT Format Example:

1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,000
Welcome to today's video about
converting YouTube videos to text.

2
00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:10,000
In this guide, we'll cover the
best methods available in 2026.

Document Format (DOCX)

Best for:

• Professional reports
• Editing and formatting
• Sharing with colleagues

JSON Format

Best for:

• Developers
• Data analysis
• Integration with other tools

Use Cases for YouTube to Text

Content Repurposing

Convert videos to:

• Blog posts
• Social media threads
• Email newsletters
• E-books

Workflow:

1. 1.Get transcript from NoteLM.ai
2. 2.Edit for readability
3. 3.Add formatting and headers
4. 4.Publish on your platform

Research and Analysis

Use text for:

• Keyword research
• Sentiment analysis
• Quote extraction
• Competitive analysis

Accessibility

Text versions help:

• Hearing-impaired viewers
• Non-native speakers
• Readers who prefer text
• Search engine indexing

Study and Learning

Text enables:

• Note-taking
• Highlighting key points
• Creating flashcards
• Searching for specific information

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"Transcript Not Available"

Solutions:

1. 1.Use AI transcription (Otter.ai, Whisper)
2. 2.Wait—new videos may get auto-captions in 24 hours
3. 3.Check if creator disabled captions
4. 4.Use professional transcription service

Transcript Has Many Errors

• Technical jargon
• Accents
• Multiple speakers
• Background noise

Solutions:

1. 1.Edit manually for critical sections
2. 2.Use professional transcription
3. 3.Cross-reference with video

Timestamps Don't Match

Non-English Video

Solutions:

1. 1.NoteLM.ai supports 100+ languages
2. 2.Whisper supports 99 languages
3. 3.Select correct language in YouTube transcript settings

Best Practices for Video-to-Text

1. Clean Up the Text

AI transcripts need editing:

• Fix punctuation
• Add paragraph breaks
• Correct names and terms
• Remove filler words ("um," "uh")

2. Keep Timestamps for Reference

Even if final output doesn't need them, keep timestamps during editing to reference back to specific video moments.

3. Verify Technical Terms

AI often mishears:

• Product names
• Technical jargon
• Proper nouns
• Numbers and statistics

4. Consider the Purpose

Quick Decision Guide:

• Video has captions? → Use NoteLM.ai (2-5 seconds, free)
• No captions? → Use Otter.ai or Whisper for AI transcription
• Need perfect accuracy? → Use professional service ($1-2/min)

Start by trying NoteLM.ai with your next YouTube video—you'll have the full text in seconds.

Try NoteLM.ai's Free YouTube to Text Converter →

Related Resources:

• How to Get YouTube Transcript (Complete Guide)
• Best AI YouTube Video Summarizers
• YouTube Subtitle Downloader Guide