YouTube Video Summarizer
Summarize any YouTube video with AI-generated chapters, clickable timestamps, key takeaways, and TL;DW notes. Get the insights you need in seconds, not hours.
Last updated: January 2026 • 50+ Output Languages • Privacy-First Design
TL;DR: YouTube Video Summarizer Features
- •ML models learn patterns from data...
- •Supervised learning requires labeled data...
Complete YouTube Video Summary
Every summary includes structured chapters, key points, quotes, and actionable takeaways - all with clickable timestamps.
📑 Chapters with Timestamps
AI-generated topic-based chapters with clickable timestamps. Jump to any section instantly.
💡 Key Takeaways
Distilled main points and insights. Perfect for quick review and study notes.
💬 Notable Quotes
Significant statements with exact time ranges. Easy to cite and reference.
✅ Action Items
Extracted actionable steps and recommendations from the video content.
🏷️ Topic Tags
Auto-generated topic tags for easy categorization and search.
🌍 50+ Languages
Get summaries in your preferred language regardless of video language.
How to Summarize YouTube Videos with AI
Get AI-powered summaries with chapters and timestamps in 4 simple steps. No technical knowledge required.
Install the Extension
Add the NoteLM YouTube Video Summarizer to Chrome from the Web Store in one click.
Add Your API Key
Get a free Gemini API key from Google AI Studio and paste it into the extension settings.
Choose Your Language
Select your preferred output language from 50+ options. Summaries appear in your chosen language.
Get Your Summary
Click "Summarize Video" to get chapters with timestamps, key points, quotes, and actionable takeaways.
Pro Tips for Better YouTube Summaries
Why Choose Our YouTube Video Summarizer?
The most comprehensive free YouTube summarizer with AI-powered chapters and multi-language support.
Clickable Timestamps
Every timestamp in your summary is clickable. Jump to any chapter, quote, or key point instantly. Navigate long videos with ease.
AI-Generated Chapters
Google Gemini AI automatically creates topic-based chapters. Perfect structure for studying, referencing, or creating video descriptions.
50+ Output Languages
Summarize videos in any language with captions, get output in your preferred language. Perfect for studying foreign content.
Privacy-First Design
Your API key stays on your device. Data goes directly to Google's API. No tracking, no analytics, no data collection.
100% Free to Use
No subscription fees. Uses Google's free Gemini API tier (1,500 requests/day). No hidden costs, no premium tiers for basic features.
Smart Scaling
Summary depth adapts to video length. Short videos get 3-5 chapters, long videos get 8-12 chapters with more detail.
How Summary Depth Adapts to Video Length
Our AI automatically adjusts the level of detail based on video duration.
| Video Length | Chapters | Key Points | Quotes | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| < 5 minutes | 3-5 | 3-5 | 1-2 | Shorts, tutorials, tips |
| 5-15 minutes | 4-7 | 5-8 | 2-4 | Explainers, reviews, guides |
| 15-30 minutes | 6-10 | 8-12 | 3-5 | Lectures, deep dives |
| 30+ minutes | 8-12 | 10-15 | 4-6 | Courses, podcasts, talks |
Who Uses YouTube Video Summarizer?
From students to professionals, see how different users benefit from AI-powered video summaries.
🎓 Students & Learners
Summarize lecture recordings, educational content, and online courses. Create study notes with chapters and key points for efficient review.
💼 Professionals
Quickly digest conference talks, training videos, and industry content. Extract key insights without watching full-length presentations.
✍️ Content Creators
Research competitor content, generate video chapter descriptions, and create content briefs from video sources.
🎙️ Podcast Listeners
Get chapter breakdowns of long podcast episodes. Find specific topics quickly with timestamped summaries.
🌍 Language Learners
Watch videos in your target language, get summaries in your native language. Perfect for comprehension practice.
🔬 Researchers
Quickly scan video content for relevant information. Extract quotes with timestamps for accurate citation.
YouTube Summarizer vs. Other Tools
See how our YouTube Video Summarizer compares to alternatives
| Feature | NoteLM Summarizer | Subscription Tools | YouTube Built-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI-Generated Chapters | Only if uploaded | ||
| Clickable Timestamps | |||
| 50+ Output Languages | Limited | — | |
| Key Takeaways | — | ||
| Privacy-First | Varies | ||
| No Account Required | — | ||
| Price | Free | $10-30/month | Free |
How to Get Your Free Gemini API Key
Get your API key in under 2 minutes with Google's generous free tier
Create API Key
Click "Create API key" button and copy the generated key
Paste in Extension
Open the extension settings and paste your API key. You're ready to summarize!
Google Gemini Free Tier Includes:
- ✓15 requests per minute
- ✓1,500 requests per day
- ✓No credit card required
- ✓No expiration date
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our AI YouTube video summarizer.
How do I summarize a YouTube video with AI?
To summarize a YouTube video with AI: 1) Install our free YouTube Video Summarizer Chrome extension, 2) Get a free Gemini API key from Google AI Studio, 3) Navigate to any YouTube video with captions, 4) Click "Summarize Video" and get instant chapters, key points, timestamps, and TL;DW summary. Works with auto-generated and manual captions.
How to add chapters to YouTube videos automatically?
Our AI YouTube summarizer automatically generates chapters with timestamps for any video. The extension analyzes the video transcript and creates topic-based chapter markers like "0:00 - Introduction", "2:30 - Key Concept #1", etc. You can copy these chapters to use in your own video descriptions or for easy navigation.
What is a YouTube video summarizer?
A YouTube video summarizer is an AI tool that automatically generates concise summaries from YouTube videos. Our extension uses Google Gemini AI to analyze video transcripts and create: chapter breakdowns with timestamps, key points and takeaways, notable quotes, TL;DW (Too Long; Didn't Watch) summaries, and topic tags - all with clickable timestamps for easy navigation.
What's the difference between a YouTube summary and transcript?
A YouTube transcript is a word-for-word text of everything said in the video. A summary condenses this into key points, chapters, and insights. Our summarizer creates: structured chapters (not just timestamps), extracted key points (not every word), notable quotes (significant statements), and actionable takeaways. It's the difference between reading everything vs. reading what matters.
Can I get YouTube video summaries in different languages?
Yes! Our YouTube summarizer supports 50+ output languages. The video can be in any language with captions, and you choose your preferred summary language: English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Arabic, Hindi, and many more. Perfect for studying foreign language content.
Does this YouTube summarizer work with all videos?
Our extension works with any YouTube video that has subtitles or captions - including auto-generated captions (which most videos have). It works with: educational lectures, tutorials, podcasts, documentaries, conference talks, news videos, and entertainment content. Videos without any captions cannot be summarized.
How accurate are AI-generated YouTube summaries?
Our summaries use Google Gemini AI, one of the most advanced language models available. Accuracy depends on: 1) Caption quality - manual captions are more accurate than auto-generated, 2) Content clarity - well-structured content summarizes better, 3) Video length - we optimize for different lengths. For best results, we include timestamps so you can verify any point in the original video.
How can students use YouTube video summarizer for studying?
Students can use our summarizer to: 1) Get quick overviews before watching full lectures, 2) Generate study notes with key points and chapters, 3) Find specific topics using timestamps, 4) Review content efficiently before exams, 5) Translate foreign language educational content, 6) Save summaries for offline reference. It's perfect for lecture capture and course videos.
Can I convert YouTube videos to notes for Notion or Obsidian?
Yes! Our YouTube video summarizer generates structured summaries that you can easily copy to Notion, Obsidian, or any note-taking app. The output includes: formatted chapters with timestamps, bullet-pointed key takeaways, notable quotes with time references, and topic tags. The markdown-friendly format works perfectly with most note apps.
What AI model powers the YouTube video summarizer?
We use Google Gemini AI (formerly Bard), one of the most capable language models available. You use your own API key from Google AI Studio, which provides: 15 requests per minute free, 1,500 requests per day free, enterprise-grade AI quality, and no monthly subscription fees. Your API key stays on your device - we never see or store it.
Why do I need to provide my own API key?
Using your own Gemini API key provides several benefits: 1) It's completely free - Google's free tier is very generous, 2) Your data stays private - requests go directly to Google, 3) No usage limits from us - only Google's generous limits apply, 4) No subscription required - use only what you need. This keeps our extension free for everyone.
Is this YouTube summarizer free to use?
Yes! The YouTube Video Summarizer Chrome extension is 100% free. You'll need a Gemini API key from Google, which is also free with generous limits (1,500 requests/day). There are no hidden fees, no premium tiers for basic features, no account required, and no usage caps from us. We believe AI tools should be accessible to everyone.
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