How to turn a YouTube transcript into a summary
- 1
Copy the video link
You don't need to open "Show transcript" on YouTube. The link is enough.
- 2
Paste it into PageSum
PageSum fetches the transcript with its timestamps, or transcribes the audio if the video has no captions.
- 3
Get a summary with chapters
The transcript becomes a summary plus chapters with start times, so you can check any point against the video.
Why not just paste the transcript into ChatGPT?
Timestamps are kept
Copy-pasted transcripts lose their timing. PageSum keeps it, so chapters start at the right second.
No captions? Still works
If YouTube has no transcript, PageSum transcribes the audio: up to 3 minutes free, up to 10 on Pro.
Long transcripts
Hour-long transcripts that are too big to paste into a chat work fine. The summary covers roughly the first hour.
Summary modes
Quick and Key Points free. Detailed, ELI5, ELI10 and One-Liner on Pro.
Citations to the second
ProEach summary point cites the moment it comes from, like [12:40]. Click it to jump there in the video.
Searchable, synced transcript
ProRead the full transcript next to the video. It follows playback, and you can search it.
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
How do I summarize a YouTube transcript?
Paste the video link into PageSum. It fetches the transcript on its own and summarizes it, so you don't have to copy the transcript from YouTube first.
Can I see the full transcript in PageSum?
On Pro, yes: a searchable transcript sits next to the video, follows playback, and jumps to any line you click. On the free plan you get the summary and chapters built from the transcript.
Can I paste a transcript I already have?
Yes. Paste any text, including a transcript, into the text box and PageSum summarizes it. Pasted text has no timing, so you won't get timestamped chapters. Use the video link when you have it.
What if the YouTube video has no transcript?
PageSum transcribes the audio with AI: videos up to 3 minutes on the free plan and up to 10 minutes on Pro.
How long can the transcript be?
For videos with captions there is no length limit on the link, but the summary is based on roughly the first hour of the transcript.