How to Show Transcript on YouTube

The transcript panel is hidden by default, but you can reveal it in seconds on desktop, mobile, and even embedded videos.

Standard method

1. Open the video on youtube.com in a browser.
2. Click the ... (More actions) button below the title.
3. Choose Show transcript.
4. The transcript drawer opens on the right. Resize it or pop it out by dragging.

On mobile, tap the video title once, scroll within the description drawer, and tap Show transcript.

Fixes when the button is missing

• Switch accounts or log out. Occasionally brand accounts or supervised profiles hide the feature.
• Check if captions exist. No captions = no transcript panel. Wait for auto captions or use our converter.
• Change the interface. Append ?app=desktop to the video URL on mobile browsers to load the desktop controls.
• Try another region. Use a VPN or the m.youtube.com domain; the transcript rollout is staggered worldwide.

Use YouTube Transcript Fast when YouTube refuses

If none of the fixes work, paste the video link into YouTube Transcript Fast. The tool:

• Fetches transcripts from standard videos, live replays, Shorts, and unlisted links (if you can view them).
• Lets you copy, search, or download text instantly.
• Removes formatting clutter, so you can move text directly into summaries, study notes, or captions.

Advanced tips

• Keyboard shortcut: After opening the panel, use Ctrl/Cmd + F to find keywords without scrolling.
• Language toggles: Some creators upload multiple subtitle tracks. Click the dropdown that appears at the top of the transcript panel to switch languages before copying.
• Time-coded edits: Leave timestamps enabled when you plan to cut the video later; each line becomes an edit point.

FAQ

Does this work for live streams? During a live stream you only see real-time captions. Once the stream finishes processing (usually within a few minutes), the full transcript becomes available. Our converter can grab it as soon as YouTube exposes the captions via the API.

Can I show transcripts inside embedded players? No, embedded players do not include the Show transcript button. Open the video in a new tab or use our standalone tool.

Is there a way to keep the panel open across videos? Not yet. YouTube resets the drawer per watch page, but browser extensions or the built-in converter keep your transcripts accessible outside of YouTube’s UI.