YouTube Chapters Generator
Type or paste your timestamps and titles, or open your video file and mark chapters while it plays. The tool checks every YouTube chapter rule, fixes the format and gives you a list to paste into your video description.
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Mark chapters while playing a video
Shortcut: press M while the video is focused, or anywhere outside a text box.
| # | Start | Title | Duration |
|---|
How to use the YouTube Chapters Generator
- Enter your chapters, one per line, as a timestamp and a title (for example
2:15 Setup). An example list is loaded to start. - Or open your video file, play it and click Add chapter at current time (or press M) at each new section. Type a title first or rename the lines later.
- Enter the video length (filled automatically from a video file) to check the last chapter too.
- Read the checklist. Fix any red item, or use the fix buttons to add a 0:00 intro or sort the list.
- Copy the chapter list and paste it into your YouTube video description, then save the video.
YouTube chapter rules at a glance
| Rule | Correct | Won't work |
|---|---|---|
| First timestamp is 0:00 | 0:00 Intro | 0:05 Intro as the first line |
| At least three timestamps | 0:00, 1:30 and 4:10 | Only 0:00 and 2:00 |
| Each chapter at least 10 seconds | 0:00 then 0:10 | 0:00 then 0:08 |
| Ascending order | 0:00, 2:15, 6:40 | 0:00, 6:40, 2:15 |
| Timestamp at the start of the line | 2:15 Setup | Setup starts at 2:15 (works as a link but may not create a chapter) |
| Hours for long videos | 1:05:30 Q&A | 65:30:00 |
Tips for better YouTube chapters
- Write titles viewers search for. Chapter titles can appear in Google search results as “key moments”, so describe what happens (“How to fix a flat tire”) instead of vague labels (“Part 2”).
- Keep titles short. The chapter title shows in the progress bar and over the player; a few words read best on phones.
- Turn off automatic chapters if you set your own. In YouTube Studio, the “Allow automatic chapters” setting can add chapters to videos without timestamps; your description list takes priority when it is valid.
- Put the list where it is easy to find. The chapter list can sit anywhere in the description, but placing it near the top lets viewers jump straight to the part they want.
- Update after editing. If you trim the video in YouTube Studio, check that every timestamp still lands on the right moment and that the last chapter still lasts 10 seconds or more.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add chapters to a YouTube video?
Paste a list of timestamps and titles into the video description in YouTube Studio, one per line, with the first one at 0:00. YouTube turns the list into chapters automatically when it meets the rules: at least three timestamps in ascending order, the first at 0:00 and every chapter at least 10 seconds long.
Why are my YouTube chapters not showing?
The most common reasons are a first timestamp that is not 0:00, fewer than three timestamps, a chapter shorter than 10 seconds, timestamps out of order, or text before the timestamp on a line. Automatic chapters may also override yours if enabled, and some videos (for example those with certain restrictions) do not show chapters. This tool checks the format rules for you.
What format should YouTube timestamps use?
Use minutes:seconds such as 0:00, 4:05 or 12:30, and hours:minutes:seconds such as 1:02:03 for videos longer than an hour. Put the timestamp at the start of the line followed by the title. Separators like a space, dash or vertical bar between time and title all work.
Do the timestamps have to start at 0:00?
Yes. The first timestamp in the list must be 0:00 (or 00:00), otherwise YouTube does not create chapters. If your list starts later, click Add 0:00 Intro to insert a first chapter.
How long does a YouTube chapter need to be?
Each chapter must be at least 10 seconds long, so consecutive timestamps need to be 10 seconds or more apart. Enter the video length to make sure the last chapter also lasts at least 10 seconds.
Is my video uploaded when I mark chapters?
No. The video file is played locally by your browser from your own device. Nothing is uploaded, and the file is released when you close the page.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.