# YouTube Video Subtitles API (https://www.socialcrawl.dev/platforms/youtube/video-subtitles)

> Returns the downloadable subtitle/caption track files for a YouTube video — each with a language code and name, format, and a direct download `url`. Includes both manual and auto-generated tracks across available subtitle formats (srt, vtt, ttml, …).

TL;DR: `GET /v1/youtube/video/subtitles` costs 1 credit per call and returns SocialCrawl's unified JSON schema. Single x-api-key auth, 100 free credits on signup.

## Parameters

| Parameter | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `url` | yes | Full URL of the YouTube video. |
| `format` | no | Subtitle file format filter (e.g. srt, vtt, ttml, json3, srv1). |

## Code example

```bash
curl "https://www.socialcrawl.dev/v1/youtube/video/subtitles?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DdQw4w9WgXcQ" \
  -H "x-api-key: sc_YOUR_API_KEY"
```

## FAQ

### How do I download a YouTube video's subtitles via API?

Send a GET to /v1/youtube/video/subtitles with the video url. The response lists each caption track with a language code and name, its format, and a direct download URL.

### Does it include auto-generated captions?

Yes. The endpoint returns both manually uploaded and auto-generated tracks across the available subtitle formats.

### Which subtitle formats can I get?

Common formats such as srt, vtt, ttml, json3, and srv1. Pass the format parameter to filter to a single one.

### How is this different from the transcript endpoint?

The transcript endpoint returns spoken text as JSON, while subtitles returns the downloadable caption track files with timing, ready to attach to a player.

### How much does the subtitles endpoint cost?

It is a standard endpoint at 1 credit per request, and new accounts start with 100 free credits.

See the full YouTube API: https://www.socialcrawl.dev/platforms/youtube

## Pricing

- Standard endpoints: 1 credit per call
- Advanced endpoints: 5 credits per call
- Premium endpoints: 10 credits per call
- 100 free credits on signup, no credit card required. Cached responses cost 0 credits. Credit packs never expire.
- Full pricing: https://www.socialcrawl.dev/pricing

## Explore with AI

Questions this API answers, phrased for an AI assistant:

- How to download YouTube subtitle and caption files via API
- YouTube captions API with srt and vtt formats