Manual track priority
Creator-uploaded captions come before automatic tracks.
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Download the captions the creator provided.
When creator-uploaded and automatic tracks are both accessible, YouTube Captionly prefers the creator version and tells you which source was selected.
✓ Free transcript downloader✓ Creator captions preferred✓ Five export formats
Language visibility
Choose from caption languages accessible for the video.
Flexible exports
Use text, subtitle files, spreadsheets, or JSON.
What are creator-uploaded captions?
Creator-uploaded captions are tracks supplied or edited by a channel owner or production team. They often contain better names, punctuation, terminology, speaker decisions, and intentional timing than an automatic speech-recognition track.
How track selection works
The extractor reviews caption metadata available for the video. In the requested language, a creator-uploaded track receives priority over an automatic track. If that language is unavailable, the interface can display accessible alternatives.
Automatic captions as a fallback
Automatic tracks provide valuable coverage when creators have not uploaded captions, but they require closer review. Noise, music, accents, technical vocabulary, and overlapping speakers can reduce accuracy.
Responsible caption use
Use captions you have permission to reuse, particularly when publishing, translating, or commercially repurposing another creator's work. A download tool changes the file format; it does not transfer copyright or grant a reuse license.
Frequently asked questions
What to know before downloading
How do I know if captions are creator-uploaded?
The result displays a source badge based on the selected track metadata.
What if only automatic captions exist?
The automatic track can be used and is labeled clearly so you can review it appropriately.
Does downloading captions grant permission to republish them?
No. Permitted use depends on the source material, permissions, and applicable law.
Turn the next video into text you can use.
Creator-uploaded captions preferred. Clean reading and precise exports.
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