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YouTube Chapter Generator

Type or paste your timestamps. We check YouTube's rules and give you a clean list to copy.

One chapter per line: the time, then its name. Paste a list from anywhere and we tidy it.

Or start from a video type

Video length (optional)

Spreads a starter across your video and spots chapters past the end.

Example Type or paste your own and they appear here, checked and ready to copy.

Ready for YouTube: 5 chapters

Tap the bar to see each chapter, as YouTube shows it.

  • Done: Starts at 0:00
  • Done: At least 3 chapters (you have 5)
  • Done: Each chapter 10 seconds or longer
  • Done: In order, earliest first

Paste this in your description

0:00 Intro
0:45 What you need
2:30 Step 1: Set it up
5:10 Step 2: Make it work
8:20 Wrap up

5 chapters · last starts at 8:20 · 91 of 5,000 description characters

5 chapters, about 2 minutes each. Easy for viewers to scan.

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YouTube chapters need timestamps in your description: 0:00 first, at least 3, each 10 seconds or longer. Type or paste yours here and copy a clean list. Free, no sign-up.

How to Add Chapters to YouTube Videos

Chapters split your video's progress bar into named parts. Viewers jump straight to the part they want, and Google can show them as key moments.

  1. Type or paste your chapters

    One line each: the time, then a name. Paste a rough list from your notes and we tidy the format for you.

  2. Fix what the check finds

    We test YouTube's four rules as you type. The most common miss, a missing 0:00 line, is fixed with one press.

  3. Copy it into your description

    Press Copy chapters, paste the list into your video's description in YouTube Studio, and save.

Chapters can take a little while to show after you save. If they never appear, check the four rules below: one broken rule hides them all.

YouTube Chapter Format: Complete Requirements

YouTube shows no error when a rule is broken. Your timestamps simply stay as plain text. All four rules must pass:

  • Start at 0:00: the first chapter must begin at the very start.
  • Add at least 3: one or two timestamps never turn into chapters.
  • Keep them in order: each time later than the one before it.
  • Make each one 10 seconds or longer: a shorter one breaks the whole list.

Write times with colons: 0:00, 1:30, 10:45. Past an hour, write 1:02:03. Typed 1.30 or 1;30 by mistake? We change it to 1:30 for you.

Automatic chapters? YouTube can add chapters on its own. A list of your own in the description takes their place.

Best Practices for YouTube Chapter Titles

A good chapter name tells a viewer what that part holds. It also gives YouTube and Google words to match your video to.

  • Say what happens: "Installing Node on Windows" beats "Part 2".
  • Stay under 50 characters: longer names get cut off on phones.
  • Use the words people search: naturally, never stuffed in.
  • Start with an action: Setting up, Comparing, Testing.
  • Match what is there: a name that misleads makes people leave.

Pair your chapters with a strong title and a full description so the whole video is easy to find.

Chapter Templates for Different YouTube Video Types

Press a video type in the tool to start from its chapters. We spread them across your video's length. Then change the names and times to fit your video.

  • Tutorial: intro, the problem, what you need, each step, common mistakes, summary.
  • Review: intro, overview, key features, pros, cons, alternatives, verdict, where to buy.
  • Vlog: intro, morning, each activity, lunch, the evening, outro.
  • Podcast or interview: intro, the guest, each topic, rapid fire, takeaways, outro.
  • Cooking: intro, ingredients, prep, each cooking step, plating, taste test.
  • Gaming: intro, setup, early game, mid game, late game, final thoughts.

How YouTube Chapters Improve SEO and Watch Time

  • Key moments in Google: chapters can show as key moments in search, so one video gets several ways in.
  • People stay longer: a viewer who can jump to their part is less likely to give up and leave.
  • YouTube understands the video: chapter names add words that say what each part covers.

YouTube Chapter Examples by Video Length

Longer videos need more chapters. All three below follow every rule. Open one in the chapter box to make it yours.

10-minute tutorial: 5 chapters

0:00 Introduction and What You Will Learn
1:15 Setting Up Your Project
3:40 Step-by-Step Walkthrough
6:20 Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
8:45 Summary and Next Steps

30-minute podcast: 8 chapters

0:00 Introduction and Guest Background
2:30 How the Guest Got Started
5:45 Topic 1: Industry Trends in 2026
10:20 Topic 2: Biggest Challenges Right Now
14:00 Topic 3: Advice for Beginners
19:30 Rapid Fire Questions
24:15 Key Takeaways and Resources
28:00 Where to Follow the Guest

1-hour stream or workshop: 12 chapters

0:00 Stream Start and Welcome
3:20 Today's Agenda Overview
7:45 Section 1: Fundamentals
15:30 Section 2: Intermediate Techniques
24:00 Live Q&A Break
30:15 Section 3: Advanced Strategies
38:40 Section 4: Real-World Case Study
45:00 Section 5: Hands-On Demo
52:30 Audience Questions Round 2
56:10 Recap of Key Points
58:45 Homework and Resources
1:01:00 Closing and Next Session Preview

Want a link that starts at one chapter? Use the Timestamp Link Generator. Writing the script first? The Script Timer says how long it will run.

Frequently asked questions

What people ask most about YouTube chapters.

Why are my YouTube chapters not showing?

Usually one rule is broken. The first time must be 0:00, you need at least 3, and each must be 10 seconds or longer. A time written as 0.30 or 0: 30 also fails. YouTube shows no error, so check your list here.

How do I add chapters to a YouTube video?

Open the video's details in YouTube Studio and paste your list into the description. Each line is a time, then a name. Start at 0:00, add at least 3, in order, each 10 seconds or longer.

What is the right format for YouTube chapters?

One chapter per line: the time, a space, then the name, like 0:00 Intro. Use colons, not dots. After the first hour, write the hours too, like 1:02:30.

How many chapters should a YouTube video have?

YouTube needs at least 3 and sets no maximum. Give each real change of topic its own chapter. Add your video's length and this page shows how long your chapters run on average.

Do chapters help my video get found?

They can. Chapter names tell YouTube and Google what each part covers, and Google can show them as key moments in search. They also let viewers skip to what they want instead of leaving.

How do I turn off automatic chapters?

In YouTube Studio, untick the setting that allows automatic chapters. You find it in the video's details, or in your upload defaults for every new video. Adding your own chapters also replaces the automatic ones.

How long must each chapter be?

At least 10 seconds. If two times sit closer than that, your chapters may not show at all. This page marks any chapter that is too short.

How long should a chapter name be?

A few words, 50 characters or fewer, so it fits on a phone screen. Say what happens in that part, such as "Setting up the camera", not "Part 2".

Can I paste timestamps I already have?

Yes. Paste them in the box. It reads 0:00 Intro, [0:00] Intro, 0:00 - Intro and Intro 0:00, puts them in order and writes a clean list.

Is the Chapter Generator free?

Yes. It is free with no sign-up and no limit. It all runs in your browser, so nothing you type is sent to us. Your list is saved on this device for next time.

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