Download YouTube Subtitles: Methods and Tools

Best methods to download YouTube subtitles

Browser extensions

• YouTube Subtitle Downloader (Chrome extension):
  • Free and easy-to-use tool to download YouTube subtitles
  • Detects available subtitles for YouTube videos
  • Saves subtitles in TXT or SRT formats
  • Allows language selection
  • Simple process to extract captions from YouTube: add extension, go to video, click addon, choose format and language

Online tools

• DownSub:

  • Free web-based app for downloading YouTube subtitles
  • Downloads subtitles in various languages (Japanese, English, Thai, etc.)
  • Supports multiple formats: SRT, TXT, VTT
  • Usage: paste video URL, click "Download", select format and language

• SaveSubs:

  • Free online tool to download YouTube subtitles
  • Can download auto-generated subtitles
  • Supports various languages
  • Saves in SRT or TXT formats
  • Process: paste URL, click "Extract & Download", choose format

• VidPaw Subtitle Downloader:

  • Free online tool for extracting captions from YouTube
  • Supports multiple languages (English, Filipino, Spanish, etc.)
  • Simple process: paste URL, select language, click "Download"

Advanced AI-powered solution

• Fireflies.ai:
  • Transcribes hour-long videos with over 90% accuracy
  • Supports 60+ languages
  • Creates subtitles from scratch without relying on pre-existing files
  • Identifies different speakers and timestamps dialogues
  • Offers editing capabilities for ensuring accuracy
  • Supports multiple file formats (MP4, MP3, M4A, WAV)
  • GDPR and SOC 2 Type II compliant for security

Supported subtitle formats on YouTube

YouTube supports various subtitle file formats for downloading YouTube subtitles, including:

• SubRip (.srt)
• SubViewer (.sbv)
• SAMI (.smi/.sami)
• RealText (.rt)
• TTML (Timed-Text Markup Language)
• CEA-608
• EBU-STL
• iTT (iTunes Timed Text)

For new caption creators looking to download YouTube subtitles, SubRip (.srt) and SubViewer (.sbv) are recommended due to their simplicity and compatibility with plain text editing software .

FAQ

How can I download YouTube subtitles?

You can download YouTube subtitles using browser extensions like YouTube Subtitle Downloader, online tools such as DownSub or SaveSubs, or advanced AI-powered solutions like Fireflies.ai. These methods allow you to extract captions from YouTube videos in various formats and languages.

What is the best YouTube subtitle downloader?

The YouTube Subtitle Downloader Chrome extension is considered one of the best tools for downloading YouTube subtitles. It's free, easy to use, and allows you to save subtitles in TXT or SRT formats directly from the video page.

Can I extract captions from YouTube in different languages?

Yes, most YouTube subtitle downloaders support multiple languages. Tools like DownSub, SaveSubs, and VidPaw Subtitle Downloader allow you to extract captions from YouTube in various languages, including English, Japanese, Spanish, and many others.

What file formats are available when downloading YouTube subtitles?

When downloading YouTube subtitles, you can typically choose from formats such as SRT, TXT, and VTT. Some tools also support additional formats like SubViewer (.sbv), SAMI (.smi/.sami), and TTML.

Is it possible to download auto-generated subtitles from YouTube?

Yes, some tools like SaveSubs allow you to download auto-generated subtitles from YouTube. However, keep in mind that auto-generated captions may not always be as accurate as manually created ones.