I used to waste hours trying to download YouTube playlists—grabbing each video one by one, dealing with sketchy online converters, and ending up with mismatched audio or missing files.
It was frustrating, especially when I just wanted a seamless way to save my favorite lectures, workout mixes, or movie breakdowns. Then I found yt-dlp, a simple, open-source tool that not only lets you download entire YouTube playlists with audio but also merges the videos into one file—without any extra software.
No more juggling multiple downloads or dealing with broken files. With yt-dlp, one simple command grabs the entire YouTube playlist—audio included—and merges everything into a single file. No extra software, no hassle. Whether you’re saving a full lecture series, compiling workout videos, or archiving your favorite podcasts, this method keeps everything organized and seamless. Let’s dive in and set it up in just a few minutes.
What Is yt-dlp?
If you want to download YouTube videos quickly and efficiently, yt-dlp is the ultimate tool. It’s a powerful, open-source command-line program that allows you to download entire YouTube playlists with audio, extract metadata, and even merge videos—all without additional software. As an advanced fork of the popular youtube-dl, yt-dlp comes packed with more features, faster updates, and better compatibility with modern streaming sites.
Benefits of Using yt-dlp to Download YouTube Videos and Playlists
- Download Entire Playlists – Save full YouTube playlists with audio in a single command, eliminating the need to download videos one by one.
- Merge Videos Automatically – No need for third-party editing software—yt-dlp can join multiple video files into one seamless file.
- Extract Audio – Download videos as high-quality audio files, perfect for podcasts, music, or lectures.
- Bypass Restrictions – yt-dlp can handle age-restricted, region-locked, or unlisted videos that standard downloaders struggle with.
- Fast and Lightweight – Unlike bulky GUI-based programs, yt-dlp runs efficiently on any system, from a powerful PC to a lightweight Linux server.
- Open Source and Ad-Free – No subscriptions, no bloatware—just a free, community-supported tool that gets the job done.
Whether you’re archiving content, curating your own media library, or saving videos for offline access, yt-dlp makes downloading YouTube videos easier, faster, and more customizable than ever.
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How to Install yt-dlp
Step 1: Install yt-dlp and FFmpeg
To get started, you need yt-dlp for downloading the videos and FFmpeg to merge them.
Installation on Termux (Android) or Linux
pkg install python ffmpeg
pip install yt-dlpInstallation on Windows
- Download yt-dlp.exe from yt-dlp GitHub.
- Download FFmpeg from ffmpeg.org and add it to your system’s PATH.
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Step 2: Download YouTube Playlist with Audio and Video Streams
Use the following command to ensure that both audio and video are downloaded from your YouTube playlist.
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo+bestaudio" --merge-output-format mp4 -o "%(playlist_index)s_%(title)s.%(ext)s" <PLAYLIST_URL>Explanation:
-f "bestvideo+bestaudio": Ensures that the best available video and audio streams are downloaded.--merge-output-format mp4: Merges the audio and video into an MP4 file.-o "%(playlist_index)s_%(title)s.%(ext)s": Saves files with the playlist index to maintain order.
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Step 3: Verify the Downloads
Once the download is complete, open the files to ensure both audio and video are present.
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Step 4: Merge the Videos into One File
Create a List of Videos
Create a file_list.txt with the following format:
file '01_VideoTitle.mp4'
file '02_VideoTitle.mp4'
file '03_VideoTitle.mp4'Use FFmpeg to Concatenate Videos
FFmpeg is a powerful open-source multimedia framework that allows you to record, convert, edit, and stream audio and video files with ease. It supports a vast range of formats, making it a go-to tool for media professionals and enthusiasts alike.
When used alongside yt-dlp, FFmpeg enables seamless video merging, format conversion, and audio extraction—helping you download YouTube playlists and combine them into a single file effortlessly. Whether you’re compiling tutorials, movies, or music videos, FFmpeg ensures smooth, high-quality results.
Run the following command to merge all videos into one:
ffmpeg -f concat -safe 0 -i file_list.txt -c copy merged_video.mp4For a more in depth tutorial on ffmpeg, check the article below:
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Optional: Re-Encode if Needed
If you encounter issues merging the files (e.g., codec mismatches), re-encode them:
ffmpeg -f concat -safe 0 -i file_list.txt -c:v libx264 -c:a aac -crf 23 merged_video.mp4· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
Use Cases: Why Download YouTube Playlist?
Offline Learning and Educational Resources:
Teachers, students, and parents can download YouTube playlists of tutorials, lectures, or educational videos for uninterrupted learning without worrying about internet access. For example, downloading a playlist on mathematics or language learning to play in classrooms or at home.
Content Curation and Media Compilation:
Content creators and media enthusiasts can compile playlists for projects like highlight reels, retrospectives, or mashups by merging related videos into a single file. This is useful for making review videos, recaps, or collections of favorite content.
Entertainment on the Go:
Travelers or individuals in areas with limited internet access can download YouTube playlists of music videos, documentaries, or podcasts to watch on flights, long trips, or offline settings.
Archiving Important or Temporary Content:
Certain playlists or content may be time-sensitive, like news reports, webinars, or personal vlogs. Downloading YouTube playlists ensures that users have permanent access to valuable content, even if it gets removed from YouTube later.
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Conclusion
With just a single yt-dlp command, you can download YouTube playlists with audio intact and merge them into one seamless file using FFmpeg—no extra software, no headaches. Whether you’re saving a movie marathon, compiling tutorials, or keeping your favorite music videos in one place, this method gives you full control over your content. Now, you’re not just a passive viewer—you’re in charge of your own media library.
Ready to take control of your downloads? Fire up yt-dlp and FFmpeg today, and start building your own offline playlist—no buffering, no ads, just seamless playback. Try it out now and experience the freedom of having your favorite content at your fingertips!
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