YouTube closed captions (CC) make video content accessible to all viewers, especially when you do not understand the spoken language in the video. And sometimes you may want to download a video with subtitles included for offline viewing. But how? These captions are not embedded in the video but appear on it.
No worries, below we will show you 5 proven methods to download YouTube videos with subtitles in your preferred language, and explain how to play the downloaded video with subtitles embedded.
Cisdem Video Converter
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
There're three popular subtitle file formats you can download from YouTube:
SRT and VTT are most recommended for better compatibility. These three formats can also be easily converted to each other.
Cisdem Video Converter is a full-featured program designed to convert, rip and download videos. It allows users to bulk download YouTube videos and playlists with any creator-added and auto-generated subtitles. You can save videos in original quality up to 8K and download subtitles in VTT, TTML and the raw format(.srv).
In addition, this downloader offers built-in video editing and subtitling tools to merge subtitles with the video permanently. And you can use it to download videos or music from over 1000 more YouTube-like websites, including Vimeo, SoundCloud, Twitch, Instagram and many more. Like other pro apps, it allows you to download several videos for free, then you need to subscribe to a license to continue using it.
Step 1. App installation.
Download Cisdem Video Converter and install it on your computer.
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
Open the app and click the third tab for video download at the top.
Step 2. Copy, paste and parse video URL.
Go to youtube.com and copy the URL of a captioned YouTube video.
Then paste the link to the provided field of Cisdem, and click the “+” button to parse out the URL.
Step 3. Choose desired subtitle and video format.
When video is loaded, choose a wanted language from the “Subtitle” drop-down list, and select the file format, such as .vtt.
Determine your wanted video quality and format from the “Format” menu, such as MP4 1920x1080.
Step 4. Start the download.
Specify where you want to save the video and subtitle files, then click the arrow-down icon (or the "Start" button) to begin downloading YouTube videos to your computer.
When the download is finished, click the blue checkmark icon to quickly locate the video and subtitles in the folder.
Step 5. Embed subtitles to YouTube video. (Optional)
To hardcode subtitles in video permanently, switch to the fifth tab 
of Cisdem for editing and drag the downloaded video to the interface.
In the editor window that pops up, click “Subtitle > External Subtitle > Other” to select the subtitle file (.srt), and click Save.
Next, hit the “Start” button at the lower right corner of main window to encode the subtitles to the video quickly. Then you can cast the video to TV or transfer to other devices with subtitles embedded.
Want to download YouTube videos with subtitles online without software? Just use a subtitle downloader plus video downloader service. Online YouTube subtitle downloaders normally offer VTT, SRT and TXT subtitle formats and provide dual subtitles for language learning mode.
Step 1. Download YouTube subtitles online.
Step 2. Download YouTube videos.
Optional step. Burn subtitles to YouTube video online
There are various online subtitling services for adding subtitles into a video, such as Happyscribe.
But it will force a watermark at the bottom of your video, subscribe to remove the watermark or use a desktop app instead.
Addoncrop YouTube Video Downloader is a browser extension that enables you to download videos, subtitles and thumbnails (as individual files) from YouTube. With this free and lightweight YouTube downloader, you can save YouTube captions and videos without leaving the video page in Chrome, Firefox and other popular browsers.
This addon is not available in the official extension stores due to Google YouTube's strict terms, so you’ll have to install it from a third-party site, which may not be 100% privacy protected. And it often fails to save a long YouTube video in HD quality for unknown reasons.
1. Visit https://addoncrop.com/v26/youtube-downloader/ to add the extension to your web browser following the instructions.
2. Go to youtube.com and find the video you want, an extension toolbar should appear below the video.
As a powerful command-line program, yt-dlp can help you download videos and subtitle files from YouTube and embed the subtitles to video. This method is recommended for advanced users as it requires a learning curve to get familiar with the command line interface.
*Replace LANG with the language of the subtitles you want, e.g. --sub-lang en
*Replace URL with the actual URL of the video.
More command options you may need:
YouTube offers a built-in feature for creators to download the subtitles of their own videos. Some people also upload videos to YouTube for easily obtaining the transcribed subtitles for free. This section will show you how to download your own YouTube videos with subtitles without any third-party tool.
A professional software like Cisdem Video Converter offers excellent speed and efficiency, and allows users to download videos and subtitles in the best quality and embed subtitles in video. Online tools and browser extensions are convenient for downloading subtitles, but often limit video quality within HD. yt-dlp is a safe and free but not as simple as other options.
The best method depends not only on your needs, but also on how you want to play the videos.
Subtitles/Captions can appear in a video as external files, embedded soft subtitles or hard subtitles.
Approach 1: Put the downloaded video and subtitles files in the same folder, and play the video with a video player that supports external subtitles, such as Windows Media Player and QuickTime. If the subtitle track is not added automatically, go to the subtitle setting in the player software and enable the subtitle file manually.
Approach 2: If you embed soft subtitles to video using yt-dlp, you need to use a specific media player that allows you to turn on or off the subtitle track, like VLC, MPV and Cisdem Video Player. This is better for multilingual subtitle tracks.
Approach 3: Hardcode the YouTube subtitle file to the video permanently using Cisdem Video Converter or other video editor, so you can play the subbed video on any player or device.
Emily is a girl who loves to review various multimedia software. She enjoys exploring cutting edge technology and writing how-to guides. Hopefully her articles will help you solve your audio, video, DVD and Blu-ray issues.
