YouTube Transcript

YouTube Video Transcripts API

Our API allows you to programmatically fetch transcripts for YouTube videos. You have two options to use the API:

1. Deploy on Your Own

You can clone our open-source API server and deploy it to your own infrastructure (e.g., Cloudflare Workers). This gives you full control over the API and its usage.

Steps to deploy:

  1. Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/youtube-transcript-plus/youtube-transcript-api.git
  2. Install dependencies: npm install (or yarn/pnpm)
  3. Run locally for development: npm run dev
  4. Deploy to Cloudflare: Follow the instructions in the README after wrangler login and npm run deploy.
View on GitHub

2. Use Our Hosted API (Cloud)

There is no free tier at the moment as we prioritize high-quality service while validating real-world needs.

Purchase an API license to get immediate access to our managed service. You will receive your Base URL endpoint and License Key via email after purchase.

Purchase API Access ($19/mo)

Currently Supported

Transcript endpoint via YouTube URL or Video ID.

Endpoint

GET /api/v1/transcript

Authentication

Pass your license key via the license query parameter.

Rate Limits

  • 45 requests per 60 seconds
  • 5000 requests per 30 days

Need a custom package or higher limits? Email us atapi@youtubevideotranscripts.com, and let us know the rate limits that suit you.

Request Examples

Using full YouTube URL

{BASE_URL}/api/v1/transcript?video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ&license={your_license_key}

Using YouTube Video ID

{BASE_URL}/api/v1/transcript?video=dQw4w9WgXcQ&license={your_license_key}

Response Example

View sample response
{
  "videoTitle": "Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up (Official Video) (4K Remaster)",
  "transcript": [
    {
      "text": "[♪♪♪]",
      "offset": 1.36,
      "duration": 1.68
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ We're no strangers to love ♪",
      "offset": 18.64,
      "duration": 3.24
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ You know the rules
and so do I ♪",
      "offset": 22.64,
      "duration": 4.32
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ A full commitment's
what I'm thinking of ♪",
      "offset": 27.04,
      "duration": 4
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ You wouldn't get this
from any other guy ♪",
      "offset": 31.12,
      "duration": 3.96
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ I just wanna tell you
how I'm feeling ♪",
      "offset": 35.16,
      "duration": 4.36
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ Gotta make you understand ♪",
      "offset": 40.52,
      "duration": 2.4
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ Never gonna give you up ♪",
      "offset": 43,
      "duration": 2.12
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ Never gonna let you down ♪",
      "offset": 45.2,
      "duration": 1.88
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ Never gonna run around
and desert you ♪",
      "offset": 47.32,
      "duration": 3.8
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ Never gonna make you cry ♪",
      "offset": 51.48,
      "duration": 2
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ Never gonna say goodbye ♪",
      "offset": 53.6,
      "duration": 1.919
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ Never gonna tell a lie
and hurt you ♪",
      "offset": 55.72,
      "duration": 3.64
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ We've known each other
for so long ♪",
      "offset": 60.8,
      "duration": 4
    },
    {
      "text": "♪ Your heart's been aching
but you're too shy to say it ♪",
      "offset": 64.88,
      "duration": 4.159
    }
    // ... more items ...
  ]
}

Base URL and License Key will be provided right after purchase (check your email).

Contact & Support

For any questions regarding the API, or for support, please email us at: api@youtubevideotranscripts.com.