Video Summarization
Summarize YouTube videos without watching them.
How to Summarize a Video
Extension Method
- Open any YouTube video page
- Click the 5minread extension icon
- The extension automatically detects the video
- Click "Summarize Video"
- View the summary with timestamps
Web App Method
- Go to 5minread.tech
- On the dashboard, open the Summary page and select the YouTube tab
- Paste the URL of the video you want to summarize
- Click "Summarize"
- View and interact with your summary
Video Summary Features
Timestamps
Clickable timestamps are available on Pro and Max plans. Free plan users receive a plain text summary without timestamp links.
Video summaries include clickable timestamps that jump to key moments:
- Each section shows when it occurs in the video
- Click a timestamp to open the video at that point
- Toggle timestamps in Settings → Video Enhancement
Transcript-Based
Summaries are created from the video transcript/subtitles:
- Works with auto-generated captions
- Best results with human-written subtitles
- Some videos without transcripts cannot be summarized
Supported Platforms
Currently YouTube only, including:
- Regular videos
- YouTube Shorts
- Videos with auto-generated or manual captions
Not supported:
- Live streams (no transcript available)
- Videos without any captions
- Other video platforms (Vimeo, Dailymotion, etc.)
Transcript Languages
YouTube videos with captions in any language can be summarized. The AI processes the transcript regardless of the source language and generates the summary in your chosen interface language.
Video Limits
Video summarization uses your daily token allowance:
| Feature | Free | Pro | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video rate limit | 5/hour | 20/hour | 150/hour |
| Video chunk input | 4,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Final summary input | 6,000 | 10,000 | 15,000 |
| Final summary output | 750 | 1,000 | 1,250 |
See Limits Overview for details.
YouTube Quick Button
A lightning bolt button (⚡) appears directly on YouTube video pages for one-click summarization. See YouTube Button for details.
Troubleshooting
"No transcript available"
- The video doesn't have captions enabled
- Try a different video with subtitles
- Live streams never have transcripts
"Video too long"
- Very long videos use more of your daily token allowance
- Try a shorter video or upgrade your plan
Tips
- Long videos are split into chunks and summarized section by section
- Progress shows as a percentage while processing
- Cached video summaries can be reopened for free
- Use the YouTube button for fastest access