A channel batch lets you transcribe a whole YouTube channel with a single paste. This guide explains what you will get, how the estimate works before you pay, what you will see while it runs, and how to read the results. If you want to try a single video first, see your first batch transcript.
What a channel batch collects
Paste a channel URL or @handle and Scriptube collects the whole channel: regular uploads, Shorts and past live streams, in one batch. You can also mix channels, playlists and single videos in one request. Duplicates are removed automatically, so if a video appears twice, it is processed once.
How the estimate works
Before you confirm anything, Scriptube shows an estimate. For channels, it includes the video count and the credits involved. This is your chance to check three things:
- Is it the right channel? The video count is a quick sanity check.
- Is the size what you want? A large archive can be worth it, but you decide with the numbers in front of you.
- Do you have enough credits? If not, top up first on the credits page.
The estimate is a planning figure made before the batch runs. What you are actually charged depends on the transcripts you actually receive. See credits explained and channel transcripts, limits and costs for more. Plans are on pricing.
What limits apply
There are no plan caps on batch size, videos per day or parallel batches. Credits are the only limit. If credits run out mid-batch, you keep everything already transcribed, the rest is cancelled and not charged. A batch never fails silently.
What you will see while it runs
- Progress bar: how much of the batch is done.
- Videos per minute and time left: pace and a rough finish time.
- Batch map: one coloured square per video, for a quick view of the whole batch.
- Status tabs: Failed, Waiting, Completed and Skipped, 50 per page.
Big jobs keep moving on their own. If things slow down, waiting videos resume automatically and nothing is charged until a transcript arrives. You can close the page and come back.
How to read the results
Here is what each outcome means:
- Completed: you have the transcript, and it is charged.
- Waiting: still to come. Leave it.
- Failed: no transcript was returned. Use the one-click retry, then see below.
- Skipped: set aside without a transcript. Check this tab to see what was left out.
Expect a small number of videos with no transcript. These are videos where YouTube has no captions at all, mostly long live streams and old clips. As a real example, a finance creator's channel of 3,199 videos (2,553 uploads, 260 Shorts and 386 live streams) returned a transcript for 99.2% of videos. Your channel will differ, so treat that as an illustration. Videos without captions are not charged. AI transcription for them is coming soon.
For a detailed tour of the tabs, see find problems fast on big batches.
What comes with each transcript
Every transcript includes video details: title, publish date, duration, views, likes, comment count, thumbnail and channel. They show up in your library, where you can use grid or list view, search, filter by channel and language, and sort by posted date, views, likes, comments, duration, title or date added. Channel pages show a creator's whole catalogue.
Languages
You get native captions in the requested language when the video has them. Translation to English is available as an option. See translate a transcript to English.
Getting your data out
Export TXT, CSV, JSON, JSONL, SRT or VTT, or a ZIP of all TXT files. Reading or exporting transcripts you already own is free. Developers can automate batches through the API in the docs, with webhooks for completion. For a step-by-step version of this guide, see from channel URL to clean dataset.
A sensible first run
- Pick a channel with a manageable number of videos.
- Paste it into the dashboard and read the estimate.
- Confirm, then watch the progress and batch map for a minute.
- Open the library, sort by views, and read a couple of transcripts.
- Scale up once you are happy with the results.
Responsible use
Respect creators' rights and YouTube's terms. See is downloading YouTube transcripts legal; this is not legal advice.
Start your first channel batch
Open the dashboard, paste a channel and check the estimate. Choose a plan on pricing when you are ready.