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YouTube Chapters & Timestamp Generator
Write chapter timestamps for your video description and check them against YouTube's rules before you publish. Paste a video link to load its chapters and add new ones while it plays.
No video yet? Just type your chapters below. Or try an example video.
Optional. Checks the last chapter too.
Added or cut an intro? Shift every timestamp.
YouTube check
Paste into your description
About the YouTube Chapters & Timestamp Generator
YouTube splits a video into chapters when its description lists timestamps that follow a few rules. Get one wrong and the chapters quietly fail to appear. This generator formats your timestamps, checks each rule as you type, shows the chapters on a timeline, and can read the chapters already in any video’s description.
How to use it
- 1 Optional: paste your video link and press Load Video. Timestamps already in the description are loaded into the editor.
- 2 Type one chapter per line, time first, like “1:15 Setting up”. With a video loaded, play it, type a title and press Add at the current time.
- 3 Fix anything the YouTube check flags, then press Copy chapters and paste them into the video’s description in YouTube Studio.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my YouTube chapters not showing?
The usual causes are: the first timestamp is not 0:00, there are fewer than three timestamps, a chapter is shorter than 10 seconds, or the times are not in order. Chapters can also be turned off in YouTube Studio under “Automatic chapters”, and some videos (for example, ones flagged as unsuitable for some viewers) do not show them.
What are the rules for YouTube chapters?
The first timestamp must be 0:00, you need at least three, they must go up in order, and every chapter must be at least 10 seconds long. Put each timestamp at the start of its own line in the description.
Should I use 0:00 or 00:00:00?
Both work. Use hours (1:02:03) only when needed, or tick “Always show hours” to keep every line the same width in long videos.
Do chapters help YouTube SEO?
Chapters can appear as “key moments” in Google search, and they help viewers jump to the part they want, which can keep them watching longer. Use clear, descriptive chapter titles.
Can I add chapters to someone else’s video?
No. Only the uploader can edit a description. You can still load any public video here to see or copy its chapters.
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