To download a YouTube video with subtitles, you need a third-party tool that can grab both the video file and its caption track, since YouTube’s own download feature keeps files encrypted and locked inside its app. The exact method you choose depends on whether you want the subtitles burned into the video, saved as a separate file, or if you’re the video’s creator and can export them legitimately from YouTube Studio, and if you need to create or edit those captions first, you can put subtitles on YouTube directly through the platform before exporting. If you later need the captions permanently visible on any device, you can embed subtitles into video permanently in vlc to hardcode them into the file.
What to know before you download a YouTube video with subtitles
Before you start, understand the legal and technical limits. Downloading videos from YouTube without permission generally violates YouTube’s Terms of Service, even if the video is publicly available. YouTube Premium offers offline downloads, but those files are encrypted and can only be played inside the YouTube app on mobile devices and select desktop browsers, you can’t extract the video or its subtitles to use elsewhere. Also, most third-party tools can only download subtitles that already exist on the video. If the uploader didn’t add captions or an automatic transcript, no downloader can create them for you.
How video creators can download their own subtitles legitimately
If you own the channel, you have a clean, legal path. YouTube Studio lets you export the subtitle files you’ve uploaded or auto-generated for your own videos. This is the only fully authorized way to get a subtitle file directly from YouTube, and it works for any video where you have edit permissions.
- Sign in to YouTube Studio and open the Videos tab.
- Select the video whose subtitles you want.
- Go to Subtitles in the left menu.
- Click the three-dot menu next to the subtitle track you want.
- Choose Download. You’ll get a file in .srt, .vtt, or .sbv format, depending on the original source.
This method gives you a clean subtitle file that you can edit, translate, or pair with a video you’ve already downloaded through other means.
Method 1: Use an online video downloader that supports subtitles
Online downloaders are the quickest route when you need a one-off download and don’t want to install anything. These websites accept a YouTube URL and return a video file with subtitles embedded or as a sidecar file. The key is choosing a reputable service, look for one that clearly lists subtitle support, doesn’t bombard you with pop-ups, and doesn’t ask for payment before showing download options.
- Open a reputable online video downloader that advertises subtitle support.
- Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want.
- Paste the URL into the downloader’s input field.
- Select a format that includes subtitles, such as MP4 with embedded captions or MKV with a separate subtitle track.
- Choose your preferred subtitle language if the tool offers that option.
- Start the download and save the file to your device.
This works only when the original video has captions. If the video has no subtitles, the downloader will give you a video without them, no matter what settings you pick.
Method 2: Download subtitled videos with desktop software
For frequent downloads or when you need more control over format and quality, desktop software is the better choice. Some desktop programs are designed for this task and let you pick the exact subtitle language, embed subtitles into the video, or save them as a separate file. Unlike online tools, desktop software keeps working even if the website changes, and it handles longer videos more reliably.
- Install reliable video downloading software that supports YouTube and subtitle extraction.
- Launch the program and copy the YouTube video URL.
- Paste the URL into the software’s download box.
- Choose your preferred video format and quality.
- Select the subtitle language and decide whether to embed subtitles or save them separately.
- Start the download. The software will produce a permanent file with the subtitles you selected.
Desktop software is the most dependable method when you download videos with subtitles regularly, because it gives you a consistent output file that you can keep forever.
Method 3: Add a browser extension to download YouTube videos with captions
Browser extensions are the most convenient option if you want to download a video while you’re already watching it on YouTube. They add a button to your browser toolbar, so you don’t need to copy and paste URLs into another site or app. The extension reads the video page directly and offers download options that include the available subtitle tracks.
- Install a YouTube video downloader extension from your browser’s official extension store.
- Navigate to the YouTube video you want to download.
- Click the extension’s toolbar icon while the video page is open.
- Choose a format that includes subtitles from the dropdown menu.
- Select the subtitle language if multiple are available.
- Save the file to your computer.
Extensions are ideal for quick saves, but they can break when YouTube updates its site. If you rely on them heavily, keep a desktop software alternative as a backup.
Method 4: Save only the subtitle file without the video
Sometimes you don’t need the video at all, you just want the subtitles for translation, study, or editing. In that case, you can extract the caption file directly from YouTube’s player settings, or use a third-party subtitle extractor that pulls the .srt or .vtt file from a video URL.
- Select Subtitles/CC from the menu.
- Choose the language track you want.
- Use a browser's developer tools or a dedicated subtitle extraction website to obtain the subtitle file.
- Save the file to your device.
If the right-click method doesn’t work in your browser, use a dedicated subtitle extraction website. Paste the video URL, pick the language, and download the subtitle file directly. This approach is perfect when you’re working on a translation project and need the captions as plain text rather than embedded in a video.
Pick the right method for your needs
Choose an online downloader when you need a single video with subtitles and don’t mind a quick visit to a website. Choose desktop software when you download videos regularly, need multiple subtitle languages, or want a file that won’t expire. Choose a browser extension when you’re already on YouTube and want a one-click save. Choose subtitle-only extraction when you’re translating captions, building language-learning materials, or editing a video and need the text separately. For creators, always use YouTube Studio to export your own subtitles, it’s the only fully legal method and gives you the cleanest files. For everyone else, remember that third-party tools operate in a legal gray area, so use them responsibly and only for content you have permission to download. If a video has no subtitles at all, no tool can add them, so check the video’s caption availability before you invest time in any method. The right choice depends on your frequency, your need for subtitle files versus embedded captions, and whether you own the content.
If you’re not sure how to display captions in the first place, you can turn on subtitles in the YouTube player before you download them.
