TubeScript
REST API FOR DEVELOPERS

YouTube Transcript API

Extract YouTube transcripts programmatically. JSON responses with timestamps, metadata, and AI summaries.

# Quick start — get a transcript in one request
curl -X POST https://api.tubescript.cc/v1/transcript \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"url": "https://youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ"}'
API OVERVIEW

Built for developers

The TubeScript API lets you extract transcripts from YouTube videos programmatically. Send a POST request with a YouTube URL, and receive a JSON response containing the full transcript text, individual timestamped segments, video metadata, and an optional AI-generated summary.

The API is designed for building content tools, research platforms, accessibility features, and internal applications that need YouTube transcript data. It handles the complexity of video processing, audio transcription, and text formatting so your code does not have to.

Endpoint reference

POST/v1/transcript

Submit a YouTube URL for transcription. Returns the full transcript with timestamps and metadata.

Request Body

{ "url": "https://youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID", "include_summary": true, "language": "en" }

Response

{ "video": { "id": "dQw4w9WgXcQ", "title": "Video Title", "channel": "Channel Name", "duration": 212, "thumbnail": "https://..." }, "transcript": { "text": "Full transcript text...", "segments": [ { "start": 0.0, "end": 4.2, "text": "First segment text" } ], "word_count": 1847, "language": "en" }, "summary": { "text": "AI-generated summary...", "key_points": [ "Key point with timestamp" ] } }

Code examples

Python
import requests response = requests.post( "https://api.tubescript.cc/v1/transcript", headers={"Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"}, json={ "url": "https://youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ", "include_summary": True } ) data = response.json() print(data["transcript"]["text"])
JavaScript
const response = await fetch( "https://api.tubescript.cc/v1/transcript", { method: "POST", headers: { "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY", "Content-Type": "application/json" }, body: JSON.stringify({ url: "https://youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ", include_summary: true }) } ); const data = await response.json(); console.log(data.transcript.text);
cURL
curl -X POST https://api.tubescript.cc/v1/transcript \ -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"url": "https://youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ", "include_summary": true}'

Pricing and limits

PlanTeam — $29/month
Daily limit100 requests/day
Max video length4 hours
Response formatJSON
AI summariesIncluded
AuthenticationBearer token
Rate limit resetMidnight UTC
FAQ

API frequently asked questions

01

What format does the API return?

The API returns JSON with the full transcript text, individual segments with timestamps, video metadata (title, channel, duration), and optionally an AI-generated summary.

02

Is there a free tier for the API?

The API is available on the Team plan ($29/month) which includes 100 API requests per day. There is no free API tier, but you can use the web interface for free to test transcript quality before subscribing.

03

What authentication does the API use?

The API uses bearer token authentication. You'll receive an API key when you subscribe to the Team plan. Include it in the Authorization header of each request.

04

What are the rate limits?

The Team plan includes 100 API requests per day. Each request processes one YouTube video. Rate limits reset at midnight UTC. Contact us for custom enterprise limits.

05

Can I use the API for commercial purposes?

Yes. The Team plan license allows commercial use, including building products and internal tools on top of the TubeScript API. You may not resell raw API access to third parties.

06

How long does a request take?

API requests typically complete in 30 to 90 seconds depending on video length. The response includes a polling mechanism for longer videos. We recommend implementing async processing for videos over 30 minutes.

RELATED TOOLS

More ways to get transcripts

YouTube Transcript Generator

Generate full transcripts from any YouTube video with AI-powered accuracy.

Download YouTube Transcript

Download transcripts as TXT or SRT files for offline use.

Free YouTube Transcript

Get 2 free transcripts per day with no account required.

YouTube to Text

Convert any YouTube video into readable, searchable text.

YouTube Shorts Transcript

Extract transcripts from YouTube Shorts — no transcript button needed.

YouTube Video Summarizer

Get AI-powered summaries and key points from any video.

YouTube Subtitle Extractor

Extract subtitle tracks from YouTube videos in multiple formats.

YouTube Lecture Transcript

Transcribe university lectures, online courses, and educational videos.

YouTube Transcript for Studying

Turn any YouTube video into searchable study notes with timestamps.

YouTube Sermon Transcript

Transcribe sermons, religious lectures, and spiritual content in any language.

YouTube Podcast Transcript

Get full transcripts from podcasts on YouTube — interviews, talk shows, commentary.

YouTube Video Transcript

Get the full text transcript of any YouTube video with timestamps and speaker labels.

Video Transcriber

AI-powered video transcriber that converts any YouTube video to clean, formatted text.

Transcribe YouTube

Transcribe any YouTube video instantly with free AI-powered transcription.

YouTube to Transcript

Convert any YouTube URL into a full transcript with timestamps.

Transcript YouTube

Get the full transcript of any YouTube video simply and quickly.

Transcript of a YouTube Video

Get the complete word-for-word transcript of any YouTube video for free.

How to Get YouTube Transcript

Step-by-step guide to getting transcripts from YouTube videos.

How to Copy YouTube Transcript

Learn how to copy any YouTube transcript in one click.

YouTube TED Talk Transcript

Get full transcripts from TED Talks, TEDx, and TED-Ed videos on YouTube instantly.

YouTube Interview Transcript

Extract transcripts from YouTube interviews, podcasts, and press conferences.

YouTube Documentary Transcript

Get word-for-word transcripts from documentaries and long-form YouTube content.

YouTube News Transcript

Extract exact quotes from YouTube news broadcasts and political speeches.

YouTube Tutorial Transcript

Turn any YouTube how-to video or tutorial into a scannable text guide.

YouTube Language Learning Transcript

Get transcripts from foreign-language YouTube videos to accelerate language learning.

YouTube Cooking Transcript

Extract recipes and technique notes from any cooking or food video on YouTube.

YouTube Fitness Transcript

Get workout instructions and form cues from any fitness or training video.

YouTube Gaming Transcript

Extract walkthrough notes and commentary from any gaming video on YouTube.

YouTube Speech Transcript

Get exact transcripts of political speeches, keynotes, and public addresses.

YouTube Finance Transcript

Transcribe investing explainers, earnings calls, and financial education videos.

YouTube Medical Transcript

Get transcripts from medical lectures, CME videos, and healthcare content on YouTube.

YouTube Legal Transcript

Transcribe law lectures, court arguments, and legal webinars from YouTube.

YouTube Real Estate Transcript

Extract insights from real estate investing, market analysis, and agent training videos.

YouTube Philosophy Transcript

Get word-for-word transcripts from philosophy lectures and academic debates.

YouTube History Transcript

Transcribe history lectures, documentaries, and historical speech recordings.

YouTube Psychology Transcript

Get transcripts from psychology lectures, therapy technique videos, and mental health content.

YouTube Science Transcript

Transcribe STEM lectures, research talks, and science education videos.

YouTube Business Transcript

Extract insights from MBA lectures, startup talks, and business strategy videos.

Compare Tools

See how TubeScript compares to other transcript tools.

Start building with the API

Get your API key today with the Team plan. 100 requests per day, JSON responses, and AI summaries included.

View Pricing