How to Get a Transcript of a YouTube Short
To get a transcript of a YouTube Short, open the Short as a regular video page and look for Show transcript in the description. On a computer, replace /shorts/ in the address with /watch?v= and keep the same video ID. A transcript appears only when the Short has a caption track.
Why the Shorts player hides the transcript
The Shorts player is built for vertical, swipe-based viewing, so it shows fewer controls than the standard watch page. A Short can still have captions. Opening the same video on the regular watch page gives you the description panel and, when captions are available, the transcript.
Open the transcript of a Short in five steps
- Open the Short in a desktop browser and copy its address. It looks like youtube.com/shorts/ followed by a video ID.
- Change /shorts/ to /watch?v= and keep the ID unchanged, then load the new address. The same video opens in the standard player.
- Expand the description and choose Show transcript when it is available. If the option is missing, check whether the player offers captions.
- Read the transcript beside the video, or use our Chrome extension on the supported watch page to search and copy available caption lines.
- Replay the clip before you quote it. Short videos move fast, and a single misheard word can change the meaning.
If no transcript appears
A missing transcript usually means the Short has no caption track. Many Shorts rely on music, on-screen text, or burned-in captions that are part of the image rather than a separate track. A transcript tool cannot read text that exists only inside the video picture.
In that case, type your own notes while replaying the clip, or ask the creator whether a text version exists. Automatic captions may also take some time to appear after a video is uploaded.
Check short clips more carefully
A Short often packs a claim, a joke, or a tip into a few seconds. Background music, fast speech, and slang make automatic captions less reliable. Keep the link to the Short with any quote, note the second where it appears, and check names and numbers against the audio.
Using Shorts transcripts with AI
The transcript of a Short is often only a few sentences, so summarizing it adds little. AI is more useful when you combine several checked transcripts, for example to collect tips from a series of Shorts on one topic. Label each excerpt with its source link and treat the result as a draft.
Frequently asked questions
Do YouTube Shorts have transcripts?
Some do. A Short has a transcript only when it has a caption track, either uploaded by the creator or generated automatically by YouTube.
Can I read the transcript of a Short in the YouTube mobile app?
The Shorts player shows limited controls, and our Chrome extension does not run in the YouTube mobile app. For the full transcript workflow, open the video as a regular watch page in a desktop browser.
Are burned-in captions the same as a transcript?
No. Burned-in captions are part of the video image. A transcript comes from a separate caption track, so text that appears only on screen is not included.
Related guides
- What to do when a transcript is not available
- How YouTube automatic captions work
- Install the extension and open a transcript