Extract, transcribe, and translate YouTube video transcripts using the YouTubeTranscript.dev V2 API. Supports captions, ASR audio transcription, batch processing (up to 100 videos), translation to 100+ languages, and multiple output formats.
npxskills add youtube-transcript-dev/youtube-transcript-api--skill "YouTube Transcript API"Loading…
Use this skill when the user wants to extract transcripts from YouTube videos, transcribe videos without captions, translate video content, or process multiple videos in batch.
Base URL: https://youtubetranscript.dev/api/v2
Authentication: Bearer token via Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
Users can get a free API key at youtubetranscript.dev.
| Method | Endpoint | Description |
|---|---|---|
POST |
/api/v2/transcribe |
| Extract transcript from a single video |
POST | /api/v2/batch | Extract transcripts from up to 100 videos |
GET | /api/v2/jobs/{job_id} | Check status of an ASR job |
GET | /api/v2/batch/{batch_id} | Check status of a batch request |
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
video | Yes (single) | YouTube URL or 11-character video ID |
video_ids | Yes (batch) | Array of IDs or URLs (up to 100) |
language | No | ISO 639-1 code (e.g., "es", "fr"). Omit for best available |
source | No | auto (default), manual, or asr |
format | No | timestamp, paragraphs, or words |
webhook_url | No | URL for async delivery (required for source="asr") |
| Method | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Native Captions | 1 credit | 5–10 seconds |
| Translation | 1 credit per 2,500 chars | 5–10 seconds |
| ASR (Audio) | 1 credit per 90 seconds | 2–20 minutes (async) |
import requests
API_KEY = "your_api_key"
response = requests.post(
"https://youtubetranscript.dev/api/v2/transcribe",
headers={
"Authorization": f"Bearer {API_KEY}",
"Content-Type": "application/json",
},
json={"video": "dQw4w9WgXcQ"}
)
data = response.json()
for segment in data["data"]["transcript"]:
print(f"[{segment['start']:.1f}s] {segment['text']}")
const response = await fetch("https://youtubetranscript.dev/api/v2/transcribe", {
method: "POST",
headers: {
Authorization: `Bearer ${API_KEY}`,
"Content-Type": "application/json",
},
body: JSON.stringify({ video: "dQw4w9WgXcQ" }),
});
const { data } = await response.json();
console.log(data.transcript);
npm install youtube-audio-transcript-api
import { YouTubeTranscript } from "youtube-audio-transcript-api";
const yt = new YouTubeTranscript({ apiKey: "your_api_key" });
// Simple extraction
const result = await yt.getTranscript("dQw4w9WgXcQ");
// With translation
const translated = await yt.transcribe({
video: "dQw4w9WgXcQ",
language: "es",
});
// Batch (up to 100 videos)
const batch = await yt.batch({
video_ids: ["dQw4w9WgXcQ", "jNQXAC9IVRw", "9bZkp7q19f0"],
});
curl -X POST https://youtubetranscript.dev/api/v2/transcribe \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"video": "dQw4w9WgXcQ"}'
curl -X POST https://youtubetranscript.dev/api/v2/batch \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"video_ids": ["dQw4w9WgXcQ", "jNQXAC9IVRw", "9bZkp7q19f0"]}'
Add "language": "es" (or any ISO 639-1 code) to get the transcript translated:
curl -X POST https://youtubetranscript.dev/api/v2/transcribe \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"video": "dQw4w9WgXcQ", "language": "es"}'
For videos that don't have captions, use ASR with a webhook:
curl -X POST https://youtubetranscript.dev/api/v2/transcribe \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"video": "VIDEO_ID", "source": "asr", "webhook_url": "https://yoursite.com/webhook"}'
This returns immediately with status: "processing". Results are delivered to the webhook URL when ready. Poll with GET /api/v2/jobs/{job_id} if not using webhooks.
| HTTP Status | Error Code | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | invalid_request | Invalid JSON or missing required fields |
| 401 | invalid_api_key | Missing or invalid API key |
| 402 | payment_required | Insufficient credits |
| 404 | no_captions | No captions available and ASR not used |
| 429 | rate_limit_exceeded | Too many requests — check Retry-After header |
language parameter returns the best available transcript without translation (saves credits).
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