Paste your source
Drop in a YouTube link, or sign in to upload an audio or video file directly.
YouTube · MP3 · MP4 · WAV
Captions · uploads · developer API
Transcribe video or audio into searchable text.
Get a readable transcript with timestamps, search for the exact phrase you need, and export as clean TXT, SRT, or VTT.
No account required for guest captionsClean TXT, SRT & VTT exportsAudio transcription for files
How it works
From audio or video to actionable text
From any video or audio file to a clean, timestamped transcript in three steps.
Get the transcript
Captions are pulled with timestamps. Files are transcribed by the speech model.
Timestamped · searchable
Search & export
Find any phrase, jump back to the video, and export clean text or subtitles.
TXT · SRT · VTT · JSON
Use it for:Video notesPodcast transcriptsSubtitle exportsAll use cases
Two input modes
Two ways to transcribe
Choose the best option for your content and get a reliable transcript with timestamps and export options.
No account needed
YouTube captions
Pull the caption tracks YouTube already hosts — creator subtitles or auto-generated — straight from a link.
- Public or unlisted YouTube videos
- Free guest pulls per connection, no sign-up
- Translate caption tracks where supported
- Export instantly as TXT, SRT, or VTT
Captions are YouTube’s own tracks. When a video has none, use audio transcription.
Free account
Audio or video files
Transcribe the audio of any media file — uploads, direct file links, or YouTube videos without captions.
- Upload a file or paste a direct media URL
- Transcribed from the audio
- Optional speaker labels (diarization)
- Files to 300 MB · audio up to 12 hours
Billed from your monthly credits at 1 credit per audio minute.
API — docs & examples
Developer API
Bring transcripts into your own apps. The same extraction, uploads, batch and channel work is available through one REST API — with asynchronous jobs for work that outlives a request.
- Every page feature over one REST API
- Batch and channel transcription jobs
- Direct media URL & file transcription
- Job webhooks and status polling
cURL — clean text
curl -X POST -H "Authorization: Bearer $YTGW_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"video_id":"dQw4w9WgXcQ","format":"text"}' \
"https://api.transcriptlab.dev/v1/transcriptions"
# Async jobs for batches, channels & media files
curl -X POST -H "Authorization: Bearer $YTGW_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"url": "https://example.com/podcast.mp3"}' \
"https://api.transcriptlab.dev/v1/media"Transparent plans
Simple, transparent pricing
Start for free, then choose a plan that fits your transcription volume.
Free account
No card needed25credits / mo
For regular reading, study sessions, and keeping your notes together.
- 25 monthly credits
- 1 credit per YouTube transcript
- 1 credit per audio minute — files & media
- TXT, SRT, VTT & JSON exports
Pro
1,000 credits / mo$7/ month
For higher-volume, automated, and batch transcript workloads.
- 1,000 monthly credits
- Full API access with your own keys
- Batches to 250 videos · channel jobs
- Higher rate limits (1,200 req/min)
Credit pack
One-time top-up$10/ 1,000 credits
Extra credits whenever you need them — no subscription required.
- 1,000 credits, one-time purchase
- Stacks on any plan’s allowance
- Same 1 credit per transcript or minute
- Request from Usage & plan — an operator applies it after payment
Guest caption pulls need no account. Credits are billed only when a transcript is delivered.
Clear answers
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about supported sources, caption limits, and audio transcription.
What types of video and audio sources are supported?
Public and unlisted YouTube videos with available caption tracks, uploads of audio and video files up to 300 MB, and direct https links to media files. Uploaded files and media links are transcribed from the audio.
Do I need an account or credit card to try it?
No. Paste a YouTube link as a guest — free pulls per month are shared by people on the same internet connection, with no account or card required. A free account raises the allowance to 25 monthly transcripts and adds file uploads.
What happens if a YouTube video has no captions?
Guest pulls use caption tracks already available on YouTube. If a video has no captions, sign in and transcribe the audio instead — speech transcription is an explicit option, never silently substituted for missing captions.
How does transcription pricing work?
Credits meter every result: 1 credit per YouTube transcript, and 1 credit per audio minute for files, media links, and YouTube videos transcribed from audio. The free plan includes 25 credits a month; Pro is $7/month for 1,000 credits; a $10 one-time pack adds 1,000 more. A job only spends credits when it delivers a transcript.
What export formats are available?
Every transcript renders as JSON, clean text (TXT), SubRip (SRT), or WebVTT. Signed-in accounts also get formatted study notes and Copy for ChatGPT.
Is there an API for developers?
Yes. The same transcripts, uploads, batch and channel jobs, and caption discovery are available over a REST API with Bearer API keys — single reads, asynchronous jobs with webhooks, and usage reporting. Sign in and open Quick Start for examples.