YouTube Timestamp Generator
Create clean, copy-ready video timestamps.
1. Your video
Paste a link to validate it and enable the preview.
Used to name your downloads.
2. Timestamps
Suggestions
- Row 1: chapter title is empty.
Start from an example
Paste existing timestamps
3. Copy or download
YouTube description
Markdown
CSV
JSON
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to a server, and saved projects stay on this device only.
What is a YouTube timestamp generator?
A YouTube timestamp generator builds the list of times and labels that marks the key moments of your video, in the exact format YouTube expects. Instead of typing each line by hand and second-guessing the format, you add a time and a short title for every section, and the tool outputs a clean, copy-ready block for your description. Get the format right and the times turn into clickable links, with a section overview on the progress bar.
The correct YouTube timestamp format
YouTube only recognises timestamps that follow one strict pattern. Each line
starts with a time, then a single space, then a short label, like
00:00 Intro. Use MM:SS for videos under an hour
(07:30) and H:MM:SS for longer ones
(1:05:12). The first line must be 00:00, and every
time has to come later than the one above it. This generator writes that format
for you, so each line is valid by construction.
Format rules and common mistakes
Most "my timestamps don't work" problems are formatting slips. Here is what YouTube accepts and what silently breaks it:
| Correct | Won't work | Why |
|---|---|---|
00:00 Intro | 00:00Intro | Missing space after the time |
1:30 Setup | 1.30 Setup | Periods and decimals aren't read — use a colon |
01:30 Setup | [01:30] Setup | Brackets or parentheses break detection |
04:20 Setup | • 04:20 Setup | A symbol or word before the time breaks the line |
00:00 first | 00:12 first | The first timestamp must be 00:00 |
| One time per line | 1:00 A 2:00 B | Only the first time on a line is read |
Four copy-ready output formats
From the same list, the tool gives you four outputs in one click. Copy any of them, or download a file:
| Format | Looks like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube description | 00:00 Intro | Pasting straight into your video description |
| Markdown | - 00:00 Intro | Show notes, blog posts, a GitHub readme |
| CSV | time,label + rows | Opening the list in a spreadsheet |
| JSON | [{"time":"00:00"}] | Reusing the list in another app or script |
Why timestamps help your viewers
Viewers rarely watch a long video start to finish. A clean timestamp list lets them jump to the exact part they came for, which keeps them on your video instead of leaving to search elsewhere, and makes the upload easy to revisit weeks later. Keep labels short and specific ("Setting up the camera" beats "Part 2"), and aim for a handful of meaningful sections rather than a line every few seconds. Still planning the video before you record? The Script Timer estimates how long your script runs, so your sections land where you expect.
Pasted the list but nothing happened?
If the format looks right but the times still aren't clickable, the problem is usually one of YouTube's chapter rules rather than the list itself: the first line, the number of sections, or the minimum length. The YouTube Chapter Maker checks all three rules as you type and explains why chapters fail to show.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What format do YouTube timestamps need to be in?
Each line starts with a time, then a single space, then the label, like "00:00 Intro". Use MM:SS for videos under an hour (07:30) and H:MM:SS for longer ones (1:05:12). This generator writes that exact format, so every line is valid when you paste it into your description.
Can I use periods or brackets, like 1.30 or [1:30]?
No. YouTube only reads colons (1:30), never decimals (1.30), and brackets or parentheses around the time break detection. Keep it as a bare time followed by a space and the label. The tool always outputs the accepted form for you.
Do my timestamps have to start at 00:00?
For clickable chapters, yes: the first line must be exactly 00:00. For a plain reference list it is just the convention viewers expect. If your first line is not 00:00 the tool flags it so you can fix it before pasting.
Why aren't my timestamps clickable?
Almost always a formatting slip: a missing space after the time, a period instead of a colon, brackets, or a word or symbol before the time. If the format looks right but chapters still won't appear, see the YouTube Chapter Maker for the full checklist of reasons.
Can I use this for podcasts and online courses?
Yes. Load the "Podcast episode" or "Lecture / class recording" example to see a realistic layout. Timestamps let listeners and students jump straight to a segment instead of scrubbing through the whole recording.
Is my data stored anywhere?
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to a server. If you choose "Save project", it is stored only in this browser using local storage, and you can delete it at any time.
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