How to Change the YouTube Caption Language
You can change the YouTube caption language when the video offers another track, or when YouTube shows Auto-translate. The transcript follows the track you select. A missing captions menu means there is no caption text yet.
Direct answer: on a computer, open Settings on the player, then Subtitles/CC, and choose a language. On a phone, tap the player, open Captions, and choose a language. If your language is not listed, use Auto-translate when YouTube shows it, then replay any line you will quote.
Key facts
- A caption track is same-language text. A subtitle track is a translation into another language.
- The language list shows only tracks that exist for that video, plus Auto-translate when YouTube offers it.
- Auto-translate is machine text. Names, numbers, and jokes are often wrong.
- The transcript list uses the caption language you selected.
- You cannot invent a language track for a video that has no captions at all.
- Youtube To Transcript can switch among available caption languages on a supported computer watch page. It does not create a translation.
Choose a language on the player
- Turn captions on first. Follow how to turn on YouTube captions if the CC button is hard to find.
- On a computer, click Settings at the bottom right of the player.
- Click Subtitles/CC, then the language you need.
- On a phone, tap the player, open Captions, and select a language.
- If the language is missing, choose Auto-translate and then the language, when that option is shown.
- Open Show transcript and confirm the list matches the language on the player.
If there is no captions menu at all, read why the transcript is not available.
What each language option means
| What you see | What it is | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The spoken language | Captions for the audio | Replay names and numbers |
| Another listed language | A subtitle track | It may be human-made or automatic |
| Auto-translate | A machine translation | Treat it as a draft |
| No language list | No caption track | Another video, or speech-to-text |
Before you study or publish a translated line, use the accuracy check. For notes in more than one language, see multilingual notes from captions.
How Youtube To Transcript fits
Youtube To Transcript keeps the available caption list beside the player on supported Chrome watch pages. When more than one track exists, you can choose the language, search timestamps, copy text, and draft summaries, notes, key insights, action items, and quizzes.
The extension cannot add a language YouTube did not provide, and Auto-translate text still needs a check against the video. Review the how-to guide and privacy policy before installing.
Related guides
- Turn on YouTube captions
- Captions versus the transcript
- Show the transcript on YouTube
- Open the transcript on a phone
Frequently asked questions
How do I change the caption language on YouTube?
On a computer, open Settings, then Subtitles/CC, and choose a language. On a phone, tap the player, open Captions, and choose a language.
Why is my language not in the list?
That video does not have a track in your language. Use Auto-translate if YouTube shows it. If there is no captions menu, the video has no caption track.
Is Auto-translate the same as a subtitle track?
No. A listed subtitle track was published for that language. Auto-translate is generated for you and can be wrong. Replay important lines before you reuse them.
Does the transcript change when I change the caption language?
Yes. Show transcript lists the caption track that is selected. Switch language, then open the transcript again if the list still shows the old language.
Can an extension translate a video that has no captions?
No. Translation and the transcript both start from a caption track YouTube already has. A video with no captions has nothing to translate in a caption tool.