# YouTube Transcript API YouTube · Transcript Beta Returns the timed transcript of a public YouTube video, short or live replay: the creator's manual captions when they exist, otherwise YouTube's auto-generated track, in the language you ask for. Videos without any caption track are transcribed from their audio with speech-to-text. Accepts every YouTube URL form (watch, youtu.be, shorts, live, embed, music.) or a bare 11-character video ID. GET `https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/youtube/transcript` [Try it in the playground](https://staging.socialtap.dev/playground/?endpoint=youtube.transcript) · [Quickstart](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/index.md) - From **1 credit** per request, up to **122 credits** - Sources: Captions → Speech-to-text - p50 **511 ms** - **96.5%** success (29 requests measured) ## Use cases - Summarize or search video content with LLMs - Build subtitle and translation tools - Index a channel's back catalog for RAG - Repurpose videos into articles and posts ## Good to know - Manual captions are preferred over auto-generated ones; is_auto_generated tells you which you got. - Private, members-only, rental and age-restricted videos return private_or_unavailable. ## Example request Send a `GET` request with your key in the `x-api-key` header. cURL: ```shell curl -G 'https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/youtube/transcript' \ --data-urlencode 'url=dQw4w9WgXcQ' \ -H "x-api-key: $SOCIALTAP_API_KEY" ``` TypeScript: ```typescript const params = new URLSearchParams({ url: "dQw4w9WgXcQ", }); const res = await fetch(`https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/youtube/transcript?${params}`, { headers: { "x-api-key": process.env.SOCIALTAP_API_KEY ?? "" }, }); const body = await res.json(); if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`${body.error.code}: ${body.error.message}`); const { data, meta } = body; console.log(data, meta.credits_charged); ``` Python: ```python import os import requests res = requests.get( "https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/youtube/transcript", params={"url": "dQw4w9WgXcQ"}, headers={"x-api-key": os.environ["SOCIALTAP_API_KEY"]}, ) body = res.json() if not res.ok: raise RuntimeError(f"{body['error']['code']}: {body['error']['message']}") data, meta = body["data"], body["meta"] print(data, meta["credits_charged"]) ``` Go: ```go package main import ( "encoding/json" "fmt" "log" "net/http" "net/url" "os" ) func main() { q := url.Values{} q.Set("url", "dQw4w9WgXcQ") req, err := http.NewRequest("GET", "https://staging.socialtap.dev/v1/youtube/transcript?"+q.Encode(), nil) if err != nil { log.Fatal(err) } req.Header.Set("x-api-key", os.Getenv("SOCIALTAP_API_KEY")) res, err := http.DefaultClient.Do(req) if err != nil { log.Fatal(err) } defer res.Body.Close() var body struct { Data json.RawMessage `json:"data"` Meta map[string]any `json:"meta"` Error *struct { Code string `json:"code"` Message string `json:"message"` } `json:"error"` } if err := json.NewDecoder(res.Body).Decode(&body); err != nil { log.Fatal(err) } if body.Error != nil { log.Fatalf("%s: %s", body.Error.Code, body.Error.Message) } fmt.Println(string(body.Data), body.Meta["credits_charged"]) } ``` ## Parameters | Name | Type | Description | Example | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `url` required | `string`
max 2,048 chars | YouTube video URL (watch, youtu.be, shorts, live, embed, m./music. hosts) or an 11-character video ID. | `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ` | | `lang` optional | `string`
bcp47 | Preferred language: a BCP-47 tag such as en or pt-BR (case-insensitive; _ is read as -). Selects the caption track; a manual track is preferred over an auto-generated one. Default: the video's original-language manual track, else its auto-generated track. | `en` | `url` takes YouTube video links. A link of another kind or platform fails free with [`invalid_input`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#invalid_input), naming the endpoint that takes it. Parameters not listed here are rejected (with a suggestion for a likely typo), so a misspelled one never silently changes nothing: see [Requests](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/requests/index.md). Every endpoint also accepts [`max_age`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/credits/index.md#param-max_age), [`fields`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/credits/index.md#param-fields). ## Example response A `200` response is `{data, meta}`: `data` is a [transcript](https://staging.socialtap.dev/resources/transcript/index.md) object, `meta` describes the request ([meta fields](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/index.md#response)). 200 OK: ```json { "data": { "available_languages": [ "en", "de-DE", "ja" ], "duration_ms": 213000, "id": "dQw4w9WgXcQ", "is_auto_generated": false, "language": "en", "platform": "youtube", "segments": [ { "end_ms": 3040, "start_ms": 1360, "text": "[♪♪♪]" }, { "end_ms": 21880, "start_ms": 18640, "text": "♪ We're no strangers to love ♪" }, { "end_ms": 26960, "start_ms": 22640, "text": "♪ You know the rules and so do I ♪" } ], "source": "captions", "text": "[♪♪♪] ♪ We're no strangers to love ♪ ♪ You know the rules and so do I ♪ ♪ A full commitment's what I'm thinking of ♪ ♪ You wouldn't get this from any other guy ♪ ♪ I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling ♪ ♪ Gotta make you understand ♪ ♪ Never gonna give you up ♪ ♪ Never gonna let …", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ" }, "meta": { "request_id": "req_3f9c2a7d1e8b4c6a9f0e2d4b6a8c0e1f", "platform": "youtube", "source": "captions", "is_cached": false, "credits_charged": 1, "latency_ms": 511, "fetched_at": "2026-10-25T12:00:00Z", "input": { "kind": "video", "id": "dQw4w9WgXcQ", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ" }, "credits_remaining": 9999, "client_request_id": null, "warnings": [], "mode": "live" } } ``` Long arrays and strings are shortened for display; real responses are complete. ## Response fields `data` follows the shared [Transcript schema](https://staging.socialtap.dev/resources/transcript/index.md), identical on every platform. | Field | Type | Description | | --- | --- | --- | | `data.platform` | `string` | Platform the media is hosted on. | | `data.id` | `string` | Platform-native ID of the post (equals post.id). | | `data.url` | `string` (uri) | Canonical URL of the post. | | `data.language` | `string` or `null` | BCP-47 language of the returned transcript; null when unknown. | | `data.source` | `string` | captions = platform caption track; asr = speech-to-text on the audio.
One of `captions`, `asr` | | `data.is_auto_generated` | `boolean` | True when the track was machine-generated (platform auto-captions or ASR). | | `data.available_languages` | `string[]` | BCP-47 caption languages the platform offers for this post; \[\] if none or not listed. | | `data.duration_ms` | `integer` or `null` | Media duration in milliseconds; null when unknown. | | `data.segments` | `object[]` | Timed cues in order; never empty on success. | | `data.segments[].start_ms` | `integer` | Start time in milliseconds from the beginning of the media. | | `data.segments[].end_ms` | `integer` | End time in milliseconds from the beginning of the media. | | `data.segments[].text` | `string` | Cue text, whitespace-normalized. | | `data.text` | `string` | Full transcript: segment texts joined with single spaces. | ## Pricing You pay only for successful requests. The price depends on which source produced the result, reported as `meta.source`; sources are tried cheapest first, in the order Captions → Speech-to-text. | Source | Price per successful request | Per 1,000 requests | | --- | --- | --- | | Captions `captions` | 1 credit | $0.50–$0.80 | | Speech-to-text `asr` | 2 credits + 2 per started minute of media
up to 122 credits (60 started minutes of media) | $1.00–$1.60 + $1.00–$1.60 per started minute of media | | meta.source | Source | What it means | | --- | --- | --- | | `captions` | Captions | The platform's own caption track (uploaded or auto-generated). | | `asr` | Speech-to-text | Transcribed by SocialTap from the media's audio when the platform has no captions. | Example: a result from Speech-to-text `asr` with 3 started minutes of media costs 2 + 2 × 3 = **8 credits**. Your balance must be at least **1 credit** to start a request; with less, it is refused with [`insufficient_credits`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#insufficient_credits) (HTTP 402) and costs nothing. Only that minimum is set aside when the request starts. One request costs at most **122 credits**, but that amount is never locked up in advance: right before costlier work, SocialTap sets aside more of your balance, the exact price when the number of started minutes of media is known beforehand, otherwise as much as your balance allows (and the work is limited to what that pays for). It then charges the actual price and releases the rest. If the result would cost more than your balance covers, the request is refused with [`insufficient_credits`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#insufficient_credits) as well, and costs nothing. `meta.credits_charged` and the `x-credits-charged` header show what you paid. [How credits work](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/credits/index.md) · [Packs](https://staging.socialtap.dev/pricing/index.md) ## Errors Errors cost nothing. Codes marked “Yes, later” under Retry can succeed on a later attempt; the others return the same answer every time. | Code | HTTP | Retry | Meaning | What to do | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `invalid_input` | 400 | No | The request parameters are missing or malformed, or the URL is not a supported link for this endpoint. | Fix the parameter named in param (the message says how); for a link of the wrong kind, call the endpoint the message names. | | `unauthorized` | 401 | No | The x-api-key header is missing, unknown or revoked (or, on the dashboard's routes, the session cookie is missing or expired). | Send a valid API key in the x-api-key header; without one, get a key at details.signup_url (AI agents: POST details.agent_signup_url). | | `forbidden` | 403 | No | The API key is valid but may not make this request: its account is suspended, its scopes do not include the route, it is waiting for its owner's email confirmation, it is past its expiry, or the request came from an IP its allowlist does not include. | Do what details.reason says: if suspended, contact support; otherwise use a key whose scopes cover the route (details.required_scope), have the owner confirm the emailed link, create a new key, or call from an allowed IP. | | `insufficient_credits` | 402 | No | The account does not have enough credits for this request. | Buy a credit pack, then repeat the request; do not retry automatically. | | `spend_limit_reached` | 402 | No | The API key reached its spend limit for the current period; the account may still have credits. | Wait until details.resets_at or raise the key's spend limit (PATCH /v1/api_keys/{id}); do not retry automatically. | | `rate_limited` | 429 | Yes, later | The account exceeded its runaway-protection ceiling: plans do not limit request rate, but a high per-account safety ceiling stops broken client loops. Support raises it on request. | Wait for the number of seconds in the retry-after header, then retry; ask support to raise the ceiling if your sustained traffic needs more. | | `not_found` | 404 | No | The item does not exist or was deleted. | Check the URL or ID; do not retry. | | `private_or_unavailable` | 403 | No | The item exists but is private, age- or region-gated, or requires a login to view. | Only public items can be fetched; do not retry. | | `no_transcript` | 404 | No | The media exists but has no transcript: no caption track and no speech to transcribe. | Do not retry; try another language with lang if the platform offers one. | | `upstream_blocked` | 503 | Yes, later | The platform refused every attempt. | Retry later with backoff; failed requests are free. | | `upstream_error` | 502 | Yes, later | The platform failed or returned something unexpected. | Retry with backoff; failed requests are free. | | `overloaded` | 503 | Yes, later | SocialTap was momentarily at capacity and did not start the request: nothing was fetched or charged. | Retry after the number of seconds in the retry-after header; failed requests are free. | | `internal` | 500 | Yes, later | Unexpected SocialTap error. | Retry with backoff; contact support with the request_id if it persists. | not_found, private_or_unavailable and no_transcript are item-level: the request was fine, the item can't be returned. ## Test mode A key starting with `st_test_` gets recorded responses, free and the same every time ([test mode](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/test-mode/index.md)). These inputs return their recording; any other input returns the example above. | Input | Answer | | --- | --- | | `HtVdAasjOgU` | 403 [`private_or_unavailable`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#private_or_unavailable) | | `https://www.youtube.com/live/qVv6vCqciTM` | 200 OK | | `jNQXAC9IVRw` | 200 OK | | `dQw4w9WgXcQ`
with lang=en | 200 OK | | `dQw4w9WgXcQ`
with lang=de | 200 OK | | `https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ`
with lang=ja | 200 OK | | `jNQXAC9IVRw`
with lang=fr | 404 [`no_transcript`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#no_transcript) | | `jfKfPfyJRdk` | 404 [`no_transcript`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#no_transcript) | | `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCc8FmEb1nY` | 200 OK | | `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ` Default | 200 OK | | `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY`
with lang=pt-BR | 200 OK | | `lqQg6PlCWgI` | 404 [`no_transcript`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#no_transcript) | | `https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tjjjtzRLHvA` | 404 [`no_transcript`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#no_transcript) | | `https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=kJQP7kiw5Fk` | 200 OK | | `Q39EVAstoRM` | 404 [`not_found`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#not_found) | | `yYr8q0y5Jfg` | 403 [`private_or_unavailable`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#private_or_unavailable) | | `yZIXLfi8CZQ` | 403 [`private_or_unavailable`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#private_or_unavailable) | | `6SJNVb0GnPI` | 404 [`not_found`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#not_found) | Magic inputs: send one of these as `url` to get that error. | Error | Value | | --- | --- | | [`invalid_input`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#invalid_input) | `https://socialtap.dev/test/invalid_input` | | [`insufficient_credits`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#insufficient_credits) | `https://socialtap.dev/test/insufficient_credits` | | [`spend_limit_reached`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#spend_limit_reached) | `https://socialtap.dev/test/spend_limit_reached` | | [`rate_limited`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#rate_limited) | `https://socialtap.dev/test/rate_limited` | | [`not_found`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#not_found) | `https://socialtap.dev/test/not_found` | | [`private_or_unavailable`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#private_or_unavailable) | `https://socialtap.dev/test/private_or_unavailable` | | [`no_transcript`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#no_transcript) | `https://socialtap.dev/test/no_transcript` | | [`upstream_blocked`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#upstream_blocked) | `https://socialtap.dev/test/upstream_blocked` | | [`upstream_error`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#upstream_error) | `https://socialtap.dev/test/upstream_error` | | [`overloaded`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#overloaded) | `https://socialtap.dev/test/overloaded` | | [`internal`](https://staging.socialtap.dev/docs/errors/index.md#internal) | `https://socialtap.dev/test/internal` | ## Measured performance - **p50 latency**: 511 ms - **p95 latency**: 989 ms - **Success rate**: 96.5% - **Requests measured**: 29 **Staging measurements, not production.** Measured on our staging environment, over the 7 days before 2026-10-25. [How it is measured](https://staging.socialtap.dev/status/index.md#method). ## FAQ **How much does the YouTube Transcript API cost?** 1 credit for captions results (meta.source = captions) and 2 credits + 2 per started minute of media, up to 122 credits (60 started minutes of media) for speech-to-text results (meta.source = asr), charged only for successful requests. SocialTap credits cost $0.50–$0.80 per 1,000 depending on the pack. **Am I charged for failed requests?** No. Requests that return an error cost 0 credits. Responses served from the cache are free too. ## Related ### More endpoints returning transcripts - [Facebook Video Transcript API](https://staging.socialtap.dev/apis/facebook/transcript/index.md): Facebook video transcript (From 1 credit · `GET /v1/facebook/transcript`) - [Instagram Reels Transcript API](https://staging.socialtap.dev/apis/instagram/transcript/index.md): Instagram reel / video transcript (From 1 credit · `GET /v1/instagram/transcript`) - [TikTok Transcript API](https://staging.socialtap.dev/apis/tiktok/transcript/index.md): TikTok video transcript (From 1 credit · `GET /v1/tiktok/transcript`) ### More YouTube endpoints - [YouTube Comments API](https://staging.socialtap.dev/apis/youtube/comments/index.md): Top-level comments of a YouTube video (From 1 credit per page · `GET /v1/youtube/comments`) --- [HTML version](https://staging.socialtap.dev/apis/youtube/transcript/) · [Docs index for AI agents](https://staging.socialtap.dev/llms.txt) · [All docs in one file](https://staging.socialtap.dev/llms-full.txt)