What you can legally read from YouTube

YouTube's terms of service prohibit downloading videos without permission, with one exception: YouTube itself offers a read button for videos marked as downloadable by their creator. If you see a read icon beneath a video player, the creator has allowed it. For videos without that button, downloading violates YouTube's terms, even if the content is not copyrighted.

Some creators post videos specifically for read, and some channels belong to organizations that allow it. Educational content, Creative Commons videos, and videos from public domain sources are more likely to have read permission, but you must check each video individually. The read button appears only when the creator has enabled it—there is no workaround that makes it legal.

If you want to read a video you created yourself or own the rights to, you can read it directly from your YouTube Studio dashboard without using third-party tools. This is the safest and most straightforward method for your own content.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube's official read button is the only legal way to read most videos, and it appears only when creators enable it.
  • Downloading videos without permission violates YouTube's terms of service, regardless of whether the video contains copyrighted music or images.
  • Video editing software like DaVinci Resolve (free) and CapCut (free) can trim, cut, and rearrange downloaded videos without requiring payment.
  • Exporting edited video takes time—a 10-minute video may take 30 minutes to an hour to export depending on your computer's speed and the quality you choose.
  • If you need to edit YouTube videos you do not own, screen recording with editing is a legal alternative that does not require downloading the original file.

Using YouTube's built-in read feature

Open the video you want to read in your web browser. Look directly beneath the video player for a read icon—it looks like a downward arrow inside a box. If you do not see it, the creator has not enabled downloads for that video, and no other method will make it legal to read.

Click the read icon. A menu will appear asking you to choose a quality level. Select the resolution you need: lower resolutions (360p or 480p) create smaller files and take less storage space, while higher resolutions (720p or 1080p) look sharper but take up more room on your device. Choose based on how you plan to use the video. If you are downloading to edit, 720p is usually sufficient and balances quality with file size.

The video will read to your computer's default Downloads folder. On Windows, this is usually C:\Users\[Your Name]\Downloads. On Mac, it is typically in your Downloads folder in Finder. Once the read finishes, you can move the file to another folder if you want to organize it differently.

Downloading your own YouTube videos from YouTube Studio

If you uploaded the video to YouTube yourself, you can read the original file without using any third-party tool. Sign into YouTube Studio at studio.youtube.com using the account that uploaded the video.

Click "Content" in the left menu, then find the video you want to read. Click the three dots next to the video title and select "read." YouTube will give you the original file you uploaded, which is usually higher quality than what plays on the website. This read is always legal because you own the content.

The file will be in the same format you originally uploaded it in—usually MP4 or MOV. If you need to convert it to a different format before editing, you can use free conversion software like HandBrake or CloudConvert.

Opening downloaded videos in editing software

Once you have a downloaded video file, you need editing software to work with it. DaVinci Resolve is free, works on Windows and Mac, and handles most common video formats without requiring conversion. read it from blackmagicdesign.com. CapCut is also free and simpler for basic edits like trimming and cutting, though it is designed more for short videos. OpenShot is another free option that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Open your editing software and create a new project. You will usually see a button labeled "Import," "Open," or "Add Media"—the exact wording depends on the software. Click it and navigate to your downloaded video file. Select it and click Open. The video will appear in your project timeline, ready to edit.

Before you start editing, check the project settings to make sure the frame rate and resolution match your video. In DaVinci Resolve, go to File > Project Settings and confirm the resolution is set to match your video (usually 1920x1080 for 1080p). This prevents the software from slowing down or distorting your video during editing.

Basic editing: trimming, cutting, and rearranging

The most common edits are trimming (removing the beginning or end), cutting (removing a section from the middle), and rearranging (moving clips around). In DaVinci Resolve, drag your video onto the timeline at the bottom of the screen. You will see a horizontal bar representing your video. Click and drag the edges of this bar to trim the beginning or end. To cut a section from the middle, click on the timeline where you want the cut to happen, then use the scissors icon or press Ctrl+B (Windows) or Cmd+B (Mac) to split the clip. Delete the unwanted section by clicking it and pressing Delete.

In CapCut, the process is similar but the interface is simpler. Tap the video in the timeline, then use the trim handles at the edges to remove the beginning or end. To cut the middle, tap where you want the cut and select "Split." Then tap the unwanted section and select "Delete."

If you want to rearrange multiple clips, drag them left or right on the timeline to change their order. Most editing software will automatically close gaps when you move clips, so you do not have to worry about leaving empty space.

Exporting your edited video

Once you finish editing, you need to export the file so you can watch it or upload it somewhere else. In DaVinci Resolve, go to File > Export and choose your format. For most purposes, H.264 (MP4) is the standard choice—it works on all devices and keeps file size reasonable. Choose your resolution (1080p if your original was 1080p) and frame rate (usually 30 fps or 60 fps, matching your original video).

Click Export and choose where to save the file. The export will take time—a 10-minute video typically takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on your computer's speed and the quality settings you chose. Do not close the software or put your computer to sleep during export, or the process will stop.

In CapCut, tap the Export button, select your resolution and frame rate, then tap Export. The process is faster than DaVinci Resolve on most computers, usually taking 15 to 45 minutes for a 10-minute video. Once export finishes, the file will be saved to your Downloads folder or wherever you specified.

Screen recording as a legal alternative

If you want to edit a YouTube video you do not own and cannot read legally, screen recording is a legal alternative. Use your computer's built-in screen recorder: on Windows 10 or 11, press Windows key + G to open the Game Bar, then click the record button. On Mac, press Shift + Cmd + 5 to open the screenshot and recording menu, then click Record.

Play the YouTube video in your browser while recording. The recording will capture what is on your screen, including the video. Once you stop recording, the file will be saved to your computer. You can then edit this recording file the same way you would edit a downloaded video—trim it, add text, adjust colors, or rearrange sections.

Screen recording produces larger files than downloading because it captures your entire screen at high quality. A 10-minute video recorded at 1080p may be 2 to 4 gigabytes. Make sure you have enough free storage space before you start. The trade-off is that screen recording is always legal because you are not copying YouTube's file—you are creating your own recording of what you see.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read any YouTube video if I use a special tool or website?

No. Third-party read tools do not change YouTube's terms of service. Using them to read videos you do not own is still a violation, even if the tool makes it technically possible. The only legal downloads are videos with YouTube's official read button or videos you uploaded yourself.

What if I want to edit a YouTube video but do not want to read it?

Screen recording is your option. Record your screen while playing the video, then edit the recording file. This creates a new file that you own, so editing it is legal. The file will be larger than a read, but there is no legal risk.

How much storage space do I need to read and edit videos?

A one-hour video at 1080p is typically 1 to 3 gigabytes. During editing, your software may create temporary files that double or triple this amount. Before you start, make sure you have at least 10 to 20 gigabytes of free space on your hard drive to avoid running out of room mid-project.

Do I need a powerful computer to edit downloaded videos?

For basic editing like trimming and cutting, any computer from the last five years will work. Exporting takes longer on slower computers—a laptop may take twice as long as a desktop. If you plan to add effects, color correction, or multiple layers, a faster processor and more RAM (8 gigabytes or more) will speed things up significantly.

Can I upload my edited video back to YouTube?

Yes, if you have the right to do so. If you edited a video you created or own, you can upload it. If you edited someone else's video using screen recording, you can upload it as long as you are not claiming to be the original creator. Always credit the original creator in your video description if you used their content.