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Transcribe a downloaded video file

To transcribe a downloaded video, upload the file to TryScriptorium, choose the language, and read the timestamped transcript, which you can edit and export as TXT, SRT or VTT. It reads the audio track of common video formats. One file up to 15 minutes and 25 MB is free with no account. Only transcribe videos you may use.

If you have saved a video to your computer or phone, you can upload that file and get a timestamped transcript. You cannot paste a web link here; that is not supported, and this page would rather say so than pretend.

Free preview: one file up to 15 minutes and 25 MB, 3 tries a day, no account needed.

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Key facts

Last updated:

The video link question

People often search for a way to paste a video link and get text back. This service does not fetch links, from YouTube or anywhere else: it transcribes files you upload. For a video you made, download the original file from the platform you published it on. For someone else's video, our YouTube transcript page explains the options, including the platform's own transcript panel. Only upload video you have the right to use.

What happens to the video

Only the audio track is used. The picture is never analysed, so a screen recording, a talking-head video and an audio-only file in a video container are all handled the same way. A video with no audio track at all cannot be transcribed.

What you get

  • A transcript with a timestamp on each line.
  • Speaker labels when more than one person talks.
  • Export as text, SRT, VTT, Markdown, JSON or CSV.

How it works

  1. Add a recording

    Drop in a video or audio file, choose one from your device, or record from the microphone. Nothing to install.

  2. It transcribes

    Speech becomes timestamped text, with speaker labels when more than one person talks.

  3. Read, fix, export

    Click any line to correct it, then download TXT, subtitles, Markdown, JSON or CSV.

Questions

Can I paste a YouTube link instead of uploading?
No. Link input is not built. Upload the video file itself.
How do I get the file out of a video platform?
Platforms that let you publish video generally also let you download your own original from their studio or settings area. Check the platform's help.
Does a bigger video take longer?
Yes, in proportion to how much speech is in it. Duration matters more than file size.
Is it free?
Yes — one video up to 15 minutes and 25 MB with no account, up to 3 tries a day. A free account keeps your transcripts in a library and lifts the guest limits; the current limits and paid plans are on the pricing page.
Is it legal to transcribe a downloaded video?
That depends on the video's licence and your jurisdiction. Use your own videos or ones you have permission to use.
What if my video is too large?
Without an account the limit is 25 MB. Export a smaller version or sign in for higher limits.
Can I transcribe only the audio?
Yes. Upload an audio-only file instead; it is processed the same way.
Which format should I use?
Any common one works; MP4 is the safest.
How do I get subtitles?
Export SRT or VTT after correcting the transcript.

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