Transcribe Any YouTube Video in Real-Time
Get a live, editable transcript of any YouTube video directly in Chrome — without copying, pasting, or switching tabs. Free mode included.
To transcribe a YouTube video in Chrome: install the Lessonscriptor extension, open your YouTube video, click the side panel icon, and hit play. Transcription starts automatically and appears in real-time alongside the video.
How to get a YouTube video transcript — all methods compared
| Method | Pros | Cons | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube built-in captions | Free, no install needed | Read-only, no editing, not available on all videos, inaccurate on auto-generated captions | OK for reading along |
| Lessonscriptor (this tool) | Live editing, highlight, export, works on any video not just YouTube, 14+ languages, free mode | Requires Chrome extension install | Best for students and learning |
| Copy-paste transcript tools | Quick for a static copy | No live transcription, not real-time, no editing, YouTube-only | OK for archiving |
Step-by-step: transcribe a YouTube video with Lessonscriptor
- 1
Install Lessonscriptor from the Chrome Web Store (free, one click, no sign-up).
- 2
Open any YouTube video in Chrome.
- 3
Click the Lessonscriptor icon in your Chrome toolbar to open the side panel.
- 4
Hit play on the video — transcription starts automatically.
- 5
Edit as you watch: click to add notes, highlight important passages, delete tangents.
- 6
Export to Markdown when done — your formatted notes are ready.
Support
Common questions answered.
Can I download a transcript from a YouTube video?
Yes. With Lessonscriptor, you can export the transcript as a Markdown file (.md) or copy it to clipboard to paste into Notion, Google Docs, or Obsidian. The export preserves all your formatting — bold, highlights, headers.
Does it work on YouTube videos without captions?
Yes. Lessonscriptor doesn't rely on YouTube's captions — it transcribes the actual audio in real-time. So it works whether or not YouTube has auto-generated captions for the video.
Can I transcribe a YouTube video in French or Spanish?
Yes. Lessonscriptor supports 14+ languages. In the extension settings, select your target language and it will transcribe accordingly — useful for language learning or international lectures.
Is there a limit to how long a YouTube video can be?
No hard limit. Lessonscriptor transcribes in real-time as the video plays, so it works for any length — from a 5-minute tutorial to a 3-hour lecture.
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