YouTube's built-in caption and transcript tools let you read what's being said instead of listening

Every YouTube video has a CC button in the bottom right corner of the player. Click it once to turn on captions — the words appear as white text over the video. Click it again to turn them off. If the video has a transcript (not all do), you can also open a full text version in a side panel, which is useful if you want to search for a specific moment or read ahead.

The transcript feature works differently depending on whether you're on a computer, phone, or tablet. On a computer, the transcript panel opens next to the video. On a phone, it opens below. Both show the same information: the full text of what's being said, broken into chunks with timestamps so you can jump to any part of the video by clicking a line.

Key Takeaways

  • The CC button in the bottom right corner of any YouTube video turns captions on and off when ready.
  • Not every video has a transcript available — it depends on whether the creator uploaded one or YouTube's automatic system generated one.
  • On a computer, click the three-dot menu and select "Show transcript" to open a searchable text panel next to the video.
  • On a phone or tablet, tap the three-dot menu and choose "Show transcript" to see the full text below the video player.
  • You can click any line in the transcript to jump the video to that exact moment.

How to turn on captions on any device

Look for the CC icon in the bottom right corner of the video player, next to the volume control and the fullscreen button. It looks like a small rectangle with lines inside. Click or tap it once, and white captions will appear at the bottom of the video. The button will light up or change color to show that captions are on.

If captions don't appear after you click the CC button, it means that video doesn't have captions available. Some creators don't add them, and YouTube's automatic captioning doesn't work on every video — it depends on the language, audio quality, and whether the creator disabled it. You can still try opening the transcript instead, which may be available even if captions aren't.

Opening the transcript on a computer

Click the three-dot menu (the vertical dots) in the top right corner of the video player. A dropdown menu will appear. Select "Show transcript" from the list. A panel will open on the right side of the video, showing the full text of everything being said, broken into timestamped chunks.

Once the transcript is open, you can search within it using your browser's find function — press Ctrl+F (Windows) or Cmd+F (Mac) and type a word or phrase. The transcript will highlight every match. Click any line in the transcript to jump the video to that exact moment. This is especially useful if you're looking for a specific topic or quote within a long video.

Opening the transcript on a phone or tablet

Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the video player. A menu will slide up from the bottom of the screen. Tap "Show transcript". The transcript will appear below the video player, showing the same timestamped text as on a computer.

On a phone, you can still search the transcript using your device's built-in search — swipe down from the top of the screen and search for a word, or use your browser's find function if you're in a web browser. Tap any line to jump to that part of the video. The transcript will scroll automatically as the video plays, so you can follow along with the text.

Why some videos don't have transcripts

YouTube generates captions automatically for most videos, but the system doesn't work perfectly on every one. Videos in languages YouTube doesn't support well, videos with heavy accents or background noise, or very short videos may not get automatic captions. Some creators also disable captions on purpose, though this is less common.

If a creator uploaded their own transcript file, it will be available even if automatic captions failed. You can tell the difference: automatic captions usually have small errors or misheard words, while uploaded transcripts are typically more accurate. If neither is available, you're out of luck — that video straightforward doesn't have a transcript option.

Adjusting caption appearance on a computer

Once captions are on, right-click on them (or click the CC button again and look for options) to change how they look. You can adjust the text size, background color, font, and opacity. This is helpful if the default white text is hard to read against the video background, or if you need larger text.

These settings usually stick across videos, so YouTube will remember your preferences the next time you watch. If you change your mind, you can reset them to the default at any time through the same menu.

Downloading or saving a transcript

YouTube doesn't have a built-in read button for transcripts, but you can copy the text directly from the transcript panel. Open the transcript, select all the text (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A), copy it (Ctrl+C or Cmd+C), and paste it into a document or text file. This works on both computers and phones, though it's easier on a computer.

Some third-party websites and browser extensions claim to read YouTube transcripts automatically, but use caution with these tools — check reviews and permissions before installing anything. The manual copy-and-paste method is slower but safer and doesn't require any extra software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the transcript show different words than what I hear in the video?

Automatic captions sometimes mishear words, especially if there's background noise, an accent, or technical jargon. Uploaded transcripts (created by the video creator) are usually more accurate. If errors bother you, check whether the creator has a pinned comment with corrections, or leave a comment asking for clarification.

Can I turn on captions for videos in languages I don't speak?

Yes, but YouTube will show captions in the video's original language by default. If you want captions in a different language, click the CC button, then click the settings icon (gear) that appears, and select a different language from the list. Not all languages are available for every video.

Do captions work on YouTube videos embedded on other websites?

Usually yes. The CC button should appear on embedded videos the same way it does on YouTube itself. If it doesn't, the website that embedded the video may have disabled captions, or the video may not have them available.

What if the transcript panel won't open?

The transcript feature isn't available on every video — it depends on whether captions or a transcript file exist. Try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache, or trying a different browser. If it still doesn't work, that video straightforward doesn't have a transcript option.