Introduction#
This guide walk you through the command-line tools of yt-dlp, a powerful utility for downloading videos and audio tracks from various streaming platforms. yt-dlp offers a wide range of features, including video format selection, audio extraction, chapter handling, subtitle management, and more.
Simple and Straightforward Video Download#
For a quick and straightforward video download without additional commands, use the following:
yt-dlp [video URL]
Listing Video Formats#
To view available video formats and their details, you can use the following command:
yt-dlp -F [video URL]
This command provides a detailed list of available formats, including resolution, file size, codecs, and more. The output helps you choose the desired format for your download.
Targeting Specific Format ID#
After listing the available formats, you can target a specific format ID to download the video in that format. Higher numbers generally indicate better quality:
yt-dlp -f 248+251 [video URL]
This command selects the video (ID 248) and audio (ID 251) formats, merging them into a single file.
Targeting Specific Extension Type#
If you prefer a specific extension type, such as mp4, you can use:
yt-dlp -f mp4 [video URL]
This command filters the formats to include only those with the mp4 extension, simplifying your download preferences.
Extracting Audio from a Video#
Sometimes, you might only be interested in the audio content of a video, especially for music tracks. to extract the audio from a video, use the following command:
yt-dlp --extract-format --audio-format mp3 [video URL]
This command tells yt-dlp to extract the audio ( --extract-format or -x) and convert it to the MP3 format (--audio-format mp3).
Batch Downloading with list#
Batch downloading can be useful when you want to download multiple videos in one go. You dont need to one-by-one paste to one command. Here’s how you can achieve this with yt-dlp:
- You will need to create a text file containing the URLs of the videos you want to download. Each URL should be on a separate line.
- Save the text file with a name that is easy to remember, such as
video_list. - Execute the following command to initiate the batch download:
yt-dlp --batch-file path/to/video_list
Chapter Handling#
You can manage chapters in videos with yt-dlp, allowing you to navigate through different sections of a video seamlessly.
Embed Chapters#
The --embed-chapters option in yt-dlp empowers you to embed chapter markers directly into the video file itself. And using player like mpv to play the video, you can easily navigate through the chapters.
yt-dlp --embed-chapters [video URL]
Splitting Videos with Chapter Precision#
The --split-chapters option in yt-dlp enables you to split videos into chapters, creating distinct files for each chapter. This feature is particularly useful when you want to enjoy specific sections of a video without manual trimming or editing.
yt-dlp --split-chapters [video URL]
Subtitle Management#
yt-dlp offers a range of options for managing subtitles, including downloading specific language subtitles, embedding them into videos.
yt-dlp --list-subs [video URL]
Executing this command provides a detailed list of subtitle formats along with their respective names.
Language Name Formats
en vtt
ja vtt
ko vtt
af-en Afrikaans from English vtt, ttml, srv3, srv2, srv1, json3
ak-en Akan from English vtt, ttml, srv3, srv2, srv1, json3
sq-en Albanian from English vtt, ttml, srv3, srv2, srv1, json3
...
[info] Available subtitles for fMIn43MiwG8:
Language Name Formats
en English vtt, ttml, srv3, srv2, srv1, json3
ja Japanese vtt, ttml, srv3, srv2, srv1, json3
ko Korean vtt, ttml, srv3, srv2, srv1, json3
It’s crucial to note that this is the first of two listings and primarily contains auto-generated subtitles. For the main subtitles, written by humans, refer to the final list. In the given example, only three subtitles (en, ja, ko) were crafted by a human for the video.
Downloading Language-Specific Subtitles and Embedding Them#
Download subtitles in a specific language and embed them into the video with the following command:
yt-dlp --write-sub --embed-sub --sub-lang en [video URL]
Downloading All Available Subtitles (Excluding Auto-Gen)#
This method fetches all non-auto-generated subtitles for the video:
yt-dlp --write-sub --embed-sub --all-subs [video URL]
Downloading Auto-Gen Subtitles#
yt-dlp facilitates the download of auto-generated subtitles as well:
yt-dlp --write-auto-sub --embed-sub --all-subs [video URL]
Thumbnail Management#
With yt-dlp also has a feature for thumbnail, Here are base usege:
Note: This features require FFMPEG to embed.
yt-dlp --embed-thumbnail [video URL]
Metadata Management#
This option are disable by default, metadata are information data of this video. but if you want you can just adding --add-metadata or --embed-metadata, For example:
yt-dlp --add-metadata [video URL]
yt-dlp --embed-metadata [video URL]
Download some only#
How about only dowload subtitle or Thumbnail? with yt-dlp you can easily do it with --skip-download, For instance:
yt-dlp --write-thumbnail --skip-downoad [video URL]
--write-* can be interpreted as a download file. Same to subtitle, if you without --write-sub only place --embed-sub ... that will only embed the subtitle into video. Not including download subtitle file.
Lots of videos (like lists/channels)#
By default, you dont have worries how differernt with downloading lots of videos. No need adding any command for this.
yt-dlp [channel URL]
yt-dlp [playlist URL]
Playlist Management with yt-dlp#
This section covers various yt-dlp commands for managing playlists, including downloading specific items, limiting the total number of downloads, and customizing output names.
--playlist-start [NUMBER]: Begin downloading from the specified item number.--playlist-end [NUMBER]: Conclude downloading at the specified item number.--playlist-items [NUMBER]: Download specific items from the playlist.--max-downloads [NUMBER]: Limit the total number of downloads.
These commands provide granular control, enabling you to customize your download preferences for specific items or ranges within a playlist.
Download a Specific Range of Items#
To download a specific range of items, utilize the --playlist-start and --playlist-end options. For example, to download items from the third to the seventh in the playlist:
yt-dlp --playlist-start 3 --playlist-end 7 [playlist URL]
Download a Specific Range (Starting Point)#
If you only specify the starting point, yt-dlp will download from that point onward:
yt-dlp --playlist-start 3 [playlist URL]
Download a Specific Range (Ending Point)#
Similarly, specifying only the ending point results in downloading from the first item up to the specified point:
yt-dlp --playlist-end 20 [playlist URL]
Download Specific Items#
Replace [range] with your desired number format, such as 1-10 or 5,8,12-15. This option ensures that your downloaded files are numbered according to your preference, making organization and navigation a breeze.
yt-dlp --playlist-items [range] [playlist URL]
Limit the Total Number of Downloads#
To cap the total number of downloads from the playlist, employ the --max-downloads option. For instance, to download a maximum of 10 items:
yt-dlp --max-downloads 10 [playlist URL]
Output Naming Options#
yt-dlp offers flexible options for specifying the output names of downloaded videos using the -o or --output parameter.
Remove ID (with Format)#
By default, the output name includes the YouTube title name and video ID. To exclude the ID, use the following format:
yt-dlp -o %(title)s.%(ext)s
Output with Your Name#
You can customize the output name by specifying your desired name:
yt-dlp -o "Example" [video URL]
This results in the video being named Example.webm.
Output with Your Name + Custom Extensions#
If you want a specific format like MP4, you can customize both the name and extension:
Note: Ensure the specified file extension corresponds to the actual video format. If not, you may need to use ffmpeg to convert the downloaded video.
yt-dlp -o "Example.mp4" [video URL]
Output with ID Only#
If you prefer the output name to include only the video ID:
yt-dlp --id [video URL]
The resulting output name could be something like C-o8pTi6vd.webm.
Proxy Management#
You can use a proxy to download videos, which can be useful for accessing videos limited to specific countries. Find a suitable proxy IP from a provider like VPNOverview and use it in yt-dlp:
yt-dlp --proxy [IP] [video URL]
IP Protocol (v4, v6)#
Control whether to use IPv4 or IPv6 with these options:
For IPv4:
yt-dlp -4 [video URL]
yt-dlp --force-ipv4 [video URL]
For IPv6:
yt-dlp -6 [video URL]
yt-dlp --force-ipv6 [video URL]
Source Client IP#
Specify the source client IP with:
yt-dlp --source-address [IP] [video URL]
Limit Download Speed#
Control the download speed to avoid impacting your network. For example, to limit the speed to 100K:
yt-dlp --throttled-rate 100K [video URL]