How to Turn a Video Into a Transcript

Here's how to turn a video into a transcript: open an available YouTube transcript, or import your video into a transcription tool and review the generated text. For a file on your phone or computer, use a transcription app or a video editor that transcribes on import. Check names, numbers, and jargon before using the transcript. Human transcription is another option when you need additional review.

Pick the right method

Your situation	Best option
The video is on YouTube	YouTube's built-in transcript
You want text only, from a file	A transcription app or tool
You want to edit the video from the text	A video editor that transcribes on import
Accuracy is legally important	Human transcription

Method 1: YouTube's built-in transcript

If the video is on YouTube, open it, expand the description, and choose Show transcript. You can copy the text from there. If you uploaded the video yourself, YouTube Studio lets you review and edit the subtitles, which sit behind the transcript.

It's the fastest option, but it only covers videos on YouTube, and auto-generated text often lacks punctuation.

Method 2: A transcription app or website

Services such as Otter, Rev, TurboScribe, and MacWhisper turn a video or audio file into text.

Cloud tools (Otter, Rev, TurboScribe) usually need you to upload the file. Many have free tiers with monthly limits.
On-device tools (MacWhisper) run on your computer, which is better for private recordings.

Pick one based on whether you're comfortable uploading the file, and how much you need per month. If you only need the audio for a transcription tool, you can extract it from the video first, which also makes uploads much smaller.

Method 3: A video editor that transcribes on import

If the end goal is an edited or captioned video, not a text file, transcribing inside the editor saves a step. BlitzCut transcribes the speech when you import a video on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can correct the words, translate the transcript, delete sentences to cut the footage, and export captions or an SRT file.

Transcription there needs an internet connection, and the raw video file isn't uploaded. It doesn't separate individual speakers. If your main goal is a clean text document of a multi-speaker interview, a dedicated transcription tool with speaker labels is a better fit.

Method 4: Your phone's built-in features

On recent iOS versions, Voice Memos and Notes can transcribe audio you record in them, so for a voice recording this is free and already installed. It's not a way to transcribe a video file you already have, though, so for existing videos use one of the methods above.

Method 5: Human transcription

Services like Rev offer human-reviewed transcripts. They cost more per minute and take longer, but they're the right choice when:

the transcript will be used as evidence or an official record,
the recording is noisy or has heavy accents,
several people talk over each other.

How to get a better transcript from any tool

Start with clean audio. A close microphone and a quiet room improve accuracy more than any setting.
Set the language and accent correctly if the tool asks.
Add a custom vocabulary for names and product terms, where the tool allows it.
Read through it once. Fix names, numbers, and technical terms. Those are the errors machines make most.
Keep the timestamps if you'll use the transcript to cut or caption the video.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I transcribe a video to text for free?

Use YouTube's transcript for videos on YouTube, or the free tier of a transcription tool for a file. Free tiers have monthly limits. Video editors with a free trial can also transcribe on import.

How accurate is automatic video transcription?

For clear speech in a quiet room it's usually accurate enough to use after a quick edit. Background noise, accents, overlapping speakers, and specialist vocabulary reduce accuracy.

Can I transcribe a video on my iPhone?

Yes. You can import a video into an app that transcribes it, such as BlitzCut, or extract the audio and use a transcription app. Apple's Voice Memos only transcribes recordings made in it.

How do I get an SRT file from a video?

Transcribe the video in a tool that exports subtitle files, such as YouTube Studio or an editor with SRT export. Our guide to creating an SRT file on Mac covers the steps.

What's the difference between a transcript and subtitles?

A transcript is plain text of what was said. Subtitles (or captions) are the same text split into short, timed chunks that show on screen. A transcript with timestamps can become subtitles.

How to Turn a Video Into a Transcript (5 Methods)