Do I need to install a program?

No. It all runs in the browser on Windows, macOS and Linux — no installer involved.

Where does the video go?

To your browser's downloads folder. You can change the path or have the browser ask before each download.

Can I download in 4K?

Yes, when the video has a 4K track. The file is considerably larger and takes longer.

Is the file suitable for editing?

MP4 with sound opens in most editors. Transcode it to your preferred intermediate format if your workflow needs one.

Does it work in Firefox and Safari?

Yes, in any modern browser: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari or Opera.

Is there a file size limit?

Yes, a technical one: overly large and long videos are rejected so one request cannot monopolise the server.

Download YouTube videos on a computer

On Windows, macOS and Linux you need neither a program nor an extension: paste the link in your browser, choose a quality — up to 4K when the video has it — and save the file to your downloads folder.

Downloading on a PC without software

Desktop downloaders have to be fetched, installed and kept updated, and installers from dubious sites often bring extras along. A browser-based tool installs nothing: processing happens server-side and you receive a finished file.

Open the video on youtube.com, copy the address from the address bar, paste it into the field on this page and press Find video. Within seconds you see the title, thumbnail, duration and the quality list.

A computer is the best place for large files: a wide connection, plenty of disk space and a big screen where the gap between 1080p and 4K genuinely shows.

MP4 with the H.264 codec plays in the built-in players of Windows and macOS as well as in VLC, editors and TVs, so no extra conversion step is needed.

What a computer adds

Maximum quality

1080p, 1440p and 4K when the video offers them — worth it on a monitor or TV.

Faster downloads

A wired or Wi-Fi connection handles large files far quicker than mobile data.

Any OS

Windows, macOS and Linux alike: a browser is the only requirement.

Editing-ready

MP4 with sound imports into editors directly, with no intermediate conversion.

Where to find the saved file

By default the browser puts files in the system downloads folder: Downloads on Windows, macOS and Linux. Open it from the browser's download panel, which also shows the file name and size.

If you want somewhere else, enable Ask where to save each file in your browser settings and a folder picker appears before every download.

Renaming large files right away pays off: the name comes from the video title, and a short name of your own is easier to find in an archive. Renaming does not alter the video itself.

When the link is on your phone

You found the video on a phone but want it on the computer:

1Copy the link in the YouTube app via Share.
2Send it to yourself in a messenger, notes app or email.
3Open the link on the computer and paste it into the field on this page.
4Choose a quality and save the file to disk.

Step by step on a computer

Windows, macOS and Linux behave identically:

1Open the video on youtube.com and copy the address from the address bar.
2Paste it into the field on this page (Ctrl+V or ⌘+V).
3Press Find video and choose a quality or MP3 audio.
4Press Download — the file appears in your downloads folder.

Download YouTube videos on a computer