Download YouTube Subtitles
Extract subtitles from any public YouTube video in SRT or VTT format, in every language the video offers. Free and nothing to install.
Why use PullVid for YouTube?
Available qualities
How to download YouTube videos?
Copy the YouTube video link.
Paste it into the field above and click Search.
Choose the subtitle language from the list.
Download the SRT or VTT file.
YouTube subtitles are synchronized text files that display what is being said in a video second by second. They are separate documents that YouTube attaches to each upload — completely independent from the video file itself — and you can download them to use outside the platform.
With PullVid you can extract subtitles from any public YouTube video that has them available. Paste the URL, choose a language, and download the file in SRT or VTT. That is all there is to it.
Manual subtitles vs. auto-generated captions (CC)
YouTube provides two types of subtitles. Manual subtitles are written or reviewed by the creator (or a translation team) and tend to be accurate and well-punctuated. Auto-generated captions (shown as CC or 'auto-generated') are produced by YouTube's speech-recognition engine from the audio track. They are helpful and usually correct for the original language, but they make more mistakes with strong accents, technical jargon, or videos with background noise.
When a video has manual subtitles in multiple languages, you get one option per available language. If only auto-generated captions exist, you will see only those.
SRT vs VTT: which format should you choose?
SRT (SubRip Text) is the most universal format. Nearly every video player recognises it — VLC, MPC-HC, IINA, Infuse, Plex — and so do most editing tools. If you are unsure which to pick, start with SRT.
VTT (WebVTT) is designed for the web. It is the native HTML5 standard and is used by streaming platforms and online video editors such as Kapwing or Descript. If you plan to upload the subtitles to another video platform or work with them in a browser-based tool, VTT is the better choice.
How to download subtitles step by step
On PC (Windows or Mac)
Open the YouTube video and copy the URL from the address bar. Paste it into the field above and click Search. If the video has subtitles, a list of all available languages appears. Choose the language you need, select the format (SRT or VTT), and click Download. The file is saved to your Downloads folder.
On mobile (Android or iPhone)
In the YouTube app, tap Share below the video and select 'Copy link'. Open your browser (Chrome on Android, Safari on iPhone), go to PullVid, and paste the link. Choose the language and download the SRT or VTT file. On iPhone the file appears in the Files app; on Android it lands in the Downloads folder.
What you can do with downloaded subtitles
- Watch silently: load the SRT in VLC or your preferred player and follow the dialogue without turning up the volume.
- Study a language: download subtitles in the video's original language and read along while you listen to improve comprehension.
- Translate accurately: import the SRT into DeepL or your preferred translation tool to get a structured translation with correct timecodes.
- Video editing: use the subtitles as a base in DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, or CapCut to add captions to your own projects.
- Accessibility: convert the SRT to plain text to create transcripts for educational videos or podcasts.
Keep in mind that subtitles can only be downloaded if the video actually has them. If no language appears in the list, the video has no subtitles — not even auto-generated ones — at that moment. To get the most out of this feature, read our complete guide to downloading YouTube subtitles.
Frequently asked questions about YouTube
Do all YouTube videos have subtitles?+
No. Subtitles are only available if the creator added them manually or if YouTube generated automatic captions from the audio. Many short videos, videos with instrumental music, or older uploads may have none.
What is the difference between SRT and VTT?+
SRT is the most compatible format: VLC, MPC-HC, Infuse, Plex, and almost all desktop players can read it. VTT is the native web standard (HTML5) and is preferred by streaming platforms and online editors. When in doubt, download SRT.
Are auto-generated subtitles reliable?+
It depends on the video. For spoken content with good audio quality and no strong accent, auto-generated CC is usually fairly accurate. It can struggle with heavy accents, technical terms, background music, or poor audio. For precision work, look for videos with manual subtitles.
Can I download subtitles in any language?+
You can download any language the video has available. If the creator added manual translations in French, German, or Japanese, they will appear in the list. Auto-generated captions generally exist only in the main language of the video.
Is it free?+
Yes, completely free and unlimited. No sign-up or installation required.
Does it work on iPhone?+
Yes. Copy the video link using the Share option in the YouTube app, paste it into PullVid in Safari, and download the file. The SRT or VTT appears in the iOS Files app, where you can open or share it.
Does the SRT file work in VLC?+
Yes. VLC reads SRT files natively. Just place the SRT file in the same folder as the video with the same filename (different extension), open the video in VLC, and the subtitles load automatically.
Do you store the subtitles or the video on your servers?+
No. PullVid acts as an intermediary: it queries the data available on YouTube and delivers it directly to you. We do not store video files or subtitle files on our servers.
Can I download subtitles from private videos or playlists?+
No. This only works with individual publicly accessible videos. Private or unlisted videos require authentication and cannot be accessed through PullVid.
Is it legal to download YouTube subtitles?+
Downloading subtitles for personal use — studying, watching without sound, making content accessible — is a widely accepted practice. Redistributing those subtitles, publishing them, or using them commercially without the creator's permission is not allowed.
Can I translate the subtitles into another language?+
Download the SRT in the available language and open it in a tool like DeepL, Google Translate (document mode) or a subtitle editor. You will keep the synced timestamps and get a line-by-line translation, ready to use in any player.
Do the downloaded subtitles keep the synced timestamps?+
Yes. Both the SRT and the VTT include the exact timestamp of each line, so the text stays in sync with the audio. You can edit them in any text editor without losing the synchronization with the video.