CREATE VIDEO CHAPTERS

YouTube Chapter Generator

Paste timestamps and chapter titles, validate the format, and copy a ready-to-use chapter list into your YouTube video description.

FreeRuns in your browserNo sign-up

BUILD YOUR CHAPTERS

Add Your Timestamps and Chapter Titles

Enter the start time and title for each section of your video.

Paste your chapter list

Supports: 0:00 Title · Title 0:00 · dashes · tabs · pipes

YOUTUBE CHAPTERS

Your Chapter List

Review needed

Fix the highlighted chapter details before copying.

0:00 Introduction

Your formatted chapters will appear here.

Output format

0chapters

—latest timestamp

—avg. chapter gap

0title characters

How to add chapters to a YouTube video

01 Paste timestamps and chapter titles
02 Fix any highlighted format issues
03 Copy the list into the video description in YouTube Studio

Save the video details after pasting the chapter list. Your manual timestamps will override automatic video chapters.

Correct YouTube chapter format

00:00 Introduction
01:25 Setup
04:32 Tutorial
08:45 Final thoughts

Start at 00:00
Add at least 3 timestamps
Leave at least 10 seconds between chapters
Keep timestamps in order

Read YouTube’s official chapter requirements →

VALIDATION EXAMPLE

Why one chapter list works and another does not

The generator flags structural problems without inventing timestamps or silently changing the order of your chapters.

READY TO PASTE

00:00 Introduction
01:25 Setup
04:32 Tutorial
08:45 Final thoughts

Starts at zero, contains at least three chapters, stays in order and leaves enough time between entries.

REVIEW NEEDED

00:05 Introduction
00:08 Setup
04:32
03:10 Final thoughts

Starts late, has a gap under 10 seconds, includes a missing title and places the last timestamp out of order.

BEFORE YOU PUBLISH

YouTube chapter checklist

Start at 00:00.The first line identifies the beginning of the video.
Use at least three chapters.A shorter list may not be recognized as manual chapters.
Leave at least 10 seconds between timestamps.Very short sections can prevent chapters from appearing.
Use H:MM:SS after one hour.For example, write 1:02:15 for one hour, two minutes and fifteen seconds.
Paste the list into the video description.Save the changes in YouTube Studio and allow time for the watch page to update.

CHAPTERS NOT SHOWING?

Check the list before changing the video

The first timestamp is not 00:00: change it to 00:00 and validate again.

Only two chapters are present: add a third meaningful section.

Two timestamps are too close: leave at least 10 seconds between them.

A line has no title: add a short descriptive label after every timestamp.

The format is valid but chapters are still missing: confirm the description was saved and review YouTube’s current eligibility and policy requirements.

YouTube timestamp generator FAQ

How do I add chapters to a YouTube video?

Create and validate the chapter list here, copy the result, then paste it into the YouTube video description in YouTube Studio and save your changes.

What format should YouTube timestamps use?

Use M:SS for videos under one hour and H:MM:SS for longer videos.

Does the first chapter need to start at 0:00?

Yes. The first timestamp in a YouTube chapter list should start at 0:00.

Why are my YouTube chapters not showing?

Check that the list starts at 0:00, includes at least three timestamps in ascending order, and leaves at least 10 seconds between chapters.

Is my chapter list uploaded anywhere?

No. Everything is processed locally in your browser.

How many chapters does a YouTube video need?

YouTube chapter lists need at least three timestamps, with the first one at 0:00 and each chapter at least 10 seconds apart.

Can I paste an existing timestamp list?

Yes. Use Paste list to import lines such as 00:00 Intro or 01:25 Setup, then fix any lines the parser flags.

Can I download the chapter text?

Yes. After the list is valid, copy it to your clipboard or download it as a plain TXT file.