How to Search YouTube Transcripts

Scrubbing through a 2-hour interview just to find one quote is painful. Instead, search the transcript directly.

Search inside YouTube

1. Open the video on desktop and click Show transcript from the ... menu.
2. Use the search field at the top of the transcript drawer (a magnifying glass icon).
3. Type any keyword. YouTube instantly highlights every matching line.
4. Click a highlighted line to jump to that timestamp.

Use browser search

• Click inside the transcript panel.
• Press Ctrl/Cmd + F to open your browser’s find box.
• Enter the word or phrase. This works on desktop and in mobile browsers loaded in desktop mode.

Advanced, faster search with YouTube Transcript Fast

1. Paste the video URL into YouTube Transcript Fast.
2. Press Convert to load the full transcript.
3. Use the built-in page search or the browser search box to jump through thousands of words faster than YouTube’s UI.
4. Copy or download the sections you need for notes or summaries.

Why researchers prefer this method

• It keeps the transcript visible even when you switch tabs, so you never lose your place.
• You can copy everything for offline analysis or feed it into AI tools.
• Works on live replays, Shorts, and region-locked videos that still provide captions.

Productivity tips

• Search multiple videos: Keep two browser tabs side by side—one with the YouTube video, one with its transcript from our tool—to compare quotes quickly.
• Combine with AI summaries: After copying the relevant section, drop it into your favorite LLM to summarize or translate.
• Use regex-like searches: Browser search supports quotes for exact phrases (e.g., "market share").

FAQ

Can I search the YouTube app on phones? Not yet. Use a mobile browser, switch to desktop mode, or rely on the converter for a touch-friendly experience.

Do I need to download the transcript first? No. Search it in place, then download only if you want an offline record.

Will private videos appear in search? Only if you have viewing permissions. You cannot search transcripts for private content you cannot access.