Is it legal to download videos from YouTube and social media?
A plain-English look at when downloading videos is fine, when it isn't, and how to stay on the right side.
People ask this a lot, and the honest answer is: it depends on whose video it is and what you do with it. This isn't legal advice, and the rules vary by country, but here's a plain guide to the usual cases.
Usually fine
- Your own videos. You made them, you can download them. Handy if you've lost the original or want to repost to another platform.
- Videos with a free licence. Some creators release their work under Creative Commons or say outright that you can reuse it. Follow whatever the licence asks, which is often just credit.
- Public domain material. Very old films and many government videos.
- With permission. If the creator says yes, you're on solid ground. Get it in writing for anything commercial.
A grey area
Saving a public video purely to watch offline yourself is common, and many countries have some allowance for private copying, but it differs from place to place. Platforms' terms of service often say you shouldn't download outside their own app. Breaking terms of service isn't the same as breaking the law, but it can matter to your account.
Using short clips for commentary, criticism, teaching or news can fall under fair use (US) or fair dealing (UK and others). Those rules weigh how much you use, why, and whether you harm the original's market. They're judged case by case.
Not okay
- Reposting someone else's video as if it were yours.
- Uploading a creator's video to your own channel to earn from it.
- Ripping commercial music or films to avoid paying for them.
- Getting around DRM. We don't download DRM-protected content.
Good habits
- Ask before reposting, and credit the creator clearly.
- Keep downloads of other people's work for personal use.
- When in doubt, link to the original instead of re-uploading.
Our part
We only fetch public videos, we don't touch DRM, and we delete every file 15 minutes after it's ready. If you own the rights to something and want to report misuse, see our copyright page. Our terms ask every user to respect creators' rights.
For reposting your own clips, see TikTok without a watermark or downloading YouTube Shorts.
Quick answers
Can I get in trouble for downloading a video to watch offline?
Cases against people for private viewing are rare. The risk rises when you share or sell copies of someone else's work.
What about using clips in a school project?
Many countries allow short clips for teaching and study. Credit the source and keep the clip short.