How to Download YouTube Videos Using Python

YouTube is the most popular video platform, hosting billions of videos across entertainment, education, and tutorials. Often, developers, students, and content creators may want to download YouTube videos for offline learning, backup, or personal use. In this guide, you will learn how to download YouTube videos using Python with a simple and effective approach.

In This tutorial, you will focuses on command-line execution, making it easy for anyone to follow and understand. You can use logic to any other application like GUI, web/Django.

This tutorial on downloading YouTube videos using Python is strictly for educational purposes. It is intended to help learners understand Python programming, file handling, and basic scripting. Avoid using these methods to download copyrighted content without permission, as that violates YouTube’s Terms of Service.

For more information, refer to YouTube’s Privacy Policy and Terms.

Here, we will focus on a command-line Python script to download YouTube videos. To maintain best practices, the video download logic is placed in a separate function so it is reusable and easy to maintain.

Install pytube Library

You will need the pytube library, which simplifies downloading YouTube videos. Install it using:

pip install pytube

It will automatically download and add required files into system. Once it’s completed, you can use this library.

Python Script to Download Youtube Video

Create a file called youtube_downloader.py and add the following code:

from pytube import YouTube

def download_youtube_video(url, path='.'):
    yt = YouTube(url)
    stream = yt.streams.get_highest_resolution()
    stream.download(output_path=path)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    video_url = input("Enter YouTube video URL: ")
    download_youtube_video(video_url)
    print("Video downloaded successfully")

The script starts by importing the YouTube class from the pytube library. This class allows you to interact with YouTube videos, fetch their details, and download them.

The download_youtube_video function lets you download YouTube videos using Python by creating a YouTube object from the given URL, selecting the highest resolution stream, and saving it to the specified path or current directory.

Run the Script

Just like any other python script, open your terminal and run it using below command:

python youtube_downloader.py

It will ask you to enter the YouTube video URL you want to download. The video will save to the current directory or the path you specify. You can extend this functionality to get different resolution of downloaded video or as service.

Real-World Use Cases

Educational Tutorials: You can download lectures for offline study.
Backup Content: You can save your own videos for archiving purposes.
Offline Reference: You can watch programming tutorials without an internet connection.

By keeping the download logic in a separate function, your Python script becomes modular and readable. As a result, it is easier to expand, and you can later add batch downloads or even a GUI if needed.

Conclusion

You can use Python to download YouTube videos for practical learning, offline content management, and automation. This tutorial provides a simple command-line approach, emphasizing reusable functions and clean code. Remember, this method is for educational purposes only, and you should always respect copyright.

You can also check out my guide on Generate QR Code in Python Using Segno, where you will learn how to create QR codes easily and then customize them for different needs.

Codewolfy