How to summarize a YouTube video
- 1
Copy the YouTube link
Copy the URL from the address bar or the Share button. Regular videos, Shorts and youtu.be links all work.
- 2
Paste it into PageSum
Paste the link and pick a summary mode: Quick for a short overview, Key Points for a scannable list.
- 3
Read the summary
PageSum reads the video's transcript and writes the summary, with chapters that link to the right moment in the video.
More than a wall of text
Chapters
Videos of 3 minutes or more are split into chapters with start times, so you can jump to the part you care about.
Long videos
Lectures, podcasts and interviews with captions work at any length. The summary covers roughly the first hour.
Videos without captions
No captions? PageSum transcribes the audio with AI: up to 3 minutes free, up to 10 minutes on Pro.
6 summary modes
Quick and Key Points on the free plan. Detailed, ELI5, ELI10 and One-Liner on Pro.
Any language
Summaries in 39 languages. Get an English summary of a Spanish video, or keep the original language.
Ask the video
Ask follow-up questions and get answers from what was actually said. 1 question a day free, unlimited on Pro.
Timestamped answers
ProSummary points cite the moment they come from as [m:ss]. Click one and the video jumps there.
Flashcards from videos
ProTurn a lecture into flashcards and quizzes, then review them with spaced repetition.
Free and Pro limits
| Free | Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Video summaries | 1 per day | Unlimited |
| Videos with captions | Any length | Any length |
| Videos without captions | Up to 3 min (AI transcription) | Up to 10 min (AI transcription) |
| Summary modes | Quick, Key Points | All 6 |
| Chapters (videos 3 min+) | Yes | Yes |
| Timestamped citations and synced transcript | — | Yes |
| Follow-up questions | 1 per day | Unlimited |
Pro is $9/month or $86 for a year. See everything in Pro
Frequently asked questions
Is this YouTube summarizer free?
Yes. The free plan includes 3 summaries a day, 1 of which can be a video, in Quick or Key Points mode. No credit card is needed. Pro removes the daily limits and adds all 6 modes.
How does PageSum summarize a YouTube video?
PageSum fetches the video's captions (uploaded by the creator or auto-generated by YouTube) and summarizes the transcript with AI. If a video has no captions, it transcribes the audio first.
Can it summarize long YouTube videos?
Yes. Videos with captions work at any length, including multi-hour podcasts. The summary is based on roughly the first hour of the transcript, and chapters cover the same span. Videos without captions are limited to 3 minutes on the free plan and 10 minutes on Pro.
What if the video has no captions?
PageSum transcribes it with AI. That works for videos up to 3 minutes on the free plan and up to 10 minutes on Pro. Longer ones, up to 30 minutes, are summarized from their start.
Does it work with YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Paste a Shorts link like any other YouTube link. Most Shorts are under 3 minutes, so they work on the free plan even without captions.
Can I summarize YouTube videos in other languages?
Yes. By default the summary uses the video's language. You can also pick one of 39 output languages, for example to get an English summary of a German video.
Which videos don't work?
Private and members-only videos, live streams, and playlists. Paste a single public video instead.
Is there a YouTube summarizer Chrome extension?
Yes. The PageSum Chrome extension opens a side panel next to the video and summarizes it in one click, without leaving YouTube.