Two ways to read a video in another language
- Switch caption tracks (free): if the uploader or YouTube provides captions in several languages, pick one from the language list. This shows YouTube’s own captions for that language.
- AI translation (Pro): translate the transcript into any of nearly 60 supported languages, even when YouTube has no caption track in that language. Each translated line keeps its original timestamp.
How AI translation handles a long video
The transcript is split into chunks and translated chunk by chunk, with a progress bar while it runs. Because the timestamps are preserved, translating from a transcript’s results page lets you download the translation in the same formats as any transcript, including SRT and VTT subtitles in the new language.
Getting a better translation
- Start from the best source track. If the video has creator-uploaded captions, select those before translating instead of auto-generated ones.
- Check names, jargon, and idioms. Machine translation can render these too literally.
- For published subtitles, have a fluent speaker review the result. Treat it as a strong first draft, not a certified translation.
- Translation changes the text only. It doesn’t translate audio or on-screen text.