Just need the caption text? VidText AI gives you the full caption text from any YouTube video in under 10 seconds — free, no download, no sign-up. For downloading the video file with captions, read on.
Two Types of "Download with Captions"
There are two different things people mean by "download YouTube video with captions":
1. Download the video + a separate subtitle file (.SRT) — video and captions as separate files
2. Download the video with captions burned in — captions permanently visible in the video frame (hard-coded)
Both are covered below.
Method 1: Download Caption Text Only (Fastest)
If you just need the caption text (for notes, translation, or repurposing content):
1. Go to VidText AI
2. Paste the YouTube video URL
3. Get the full timestamped caption text instantly
This gives you the complete caption content without downloading any video file.
Method 2: yt-dlp — Video + Subtitle File (Separate)
yt-dlp is the most powerful free tool for downloading YouTube videos with subtitle files:
Install:
`
pip install yt-dlp
`
Download video + auto-generated subtitle file:
`
yt-dlp --write-auto-subs --sub-lang en --convert-subs srt "VIDEO_URL"
`
This downloads:
- The video file (MP4)
- A separate `video-title.en.srt` subtitle file
Download video + all available subtitle languages:
`
yt-dlp --write-subs --all-subs "VIDEO_URL"
`
Download subtitle file only (no video):
`
yt-dlp --write-auto-subs --skip-download --sub-lang en --convert-subs srt "VIDEO_URL"
`
The SRT file can then be imported into any video editor or player.
Method 3: Burn Captions Into the Video (FFmpeg)
Once you have the video and SRT file, burn the captions permanently into the video:
`
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 -vf subtitles=subtitles.srt output_with_captions.mp4
`
The output video has captions permanently embedded — no separate file needed. Viewers see them on any player, even without subtitle support.
Style the captions (font size, color, position):
`
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 -vf "subtitles=subtitles.srt:force_style='FontSize=24,PrimaryColour=&H00FFFFFF,OutlineColour=&H00000000'" output.mp4
`
Method 4: CapCut (No Code — Burn-In Captions)
For creators who want to add captions to a downloaded video without command line:
1. Import the video into CapCut
2. Captions → Auto Captions (generate new) OR Import → upload the .SRT file
3. Customize caption style (font, size, color, position)
4. Export → the video exports with burned-in captions
Why You'd Want YouTube Videos With Captions
- Repurpose for other platforms — Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn require burned-in captions for silent autoplay
- Accessibility — ensure captions are always visible regardless of player
- Translation — add a translated subtitle file for international audiences
- Editing — use the SRT as reference while editing the video in Premiere or DaVinci
Getting Just the Caption File (Your Own Videos)
For videos you own, YouTube Studio provides direct subtitle file downloads:
1. Go to studio.youtube.com → Subtitles
2. Select your video → ⋮ → Download
3. Choose .srt, .vtt, or .sbv