Chapters split a video into labeled sections. Viewers can see what is in the video and jump straight to the part they want. YouTube's chapters help page describes two ways to get them: write your own, or let YouTube generate them automatically.
How to add chapters to a YouTube video
- Sign in to YouTube Studio and select Content.
- Click the video you want to edit.
- In the Description, add a list of timestamps with titles. The first timestamp must be
00:00. - Include at least three timestamps, in ascending order. Each chapter must be at least 10 seconds long.
- Click Save.
YouTube notes that adding your own chapters overrides automatic chapters.
What the list looks like
0:00 Intro
1:24 Setting up
5:10 The main edit
9:42 Export settingsEach line is a time and a short title. Put the list on its own lines, not inside a paragraph. The checker accepts common styles, such as a dash between the time and the title, or an hour in the time like 1:02:15, and rewrites them into one clean format.
The rules, one by one
| Rule | What YouTube says |
|---|---|
| First timestamp | Must be 00:00 |
| Number of chapters | At least three timestamps listed |
| Order | Ascending |
| Minimum length | 10 seconds per chapter |
The Chapters Checker and Formatter tests all four. It tells you what breaks a rule, for example "Chapters shorter than 10 seconds at: 2:05", sorts the lines by time and gives you a clean block to copy. It does not know how long your video is, so it cannot check the length of the very last chapter. Check that one yourself.
Why your chapters might not show
- Fewer than three timestamps, or the first is not 00:00.
- A chapter is too short. Under 10 seconds does not work.
- Timestamps are out of order.
- Advanced features. YouTube's page says if you do not have access to chapters yet, apply for access to advanced features.
- Strikes or sensitive content. YouTube says automatic chapters are not available if the channel has any active strikes, or the content may be inappropriate to some viewers.
- The video is brand new. Chapters may take a short time to appear after you save.
Automatic chapters
By default, YouTube's page says the Allow automatic chapters box is ticked for new uploads. Not all videos are eligible and not all eligible videos get them. You can opt out per video, in bulk, or in your upload defaults. If you want control over the wording, write your own.
Writing good chapter titles
- Use the words a viewer would scan for: "Export settings", not "The last bit".
- Keep each title short. A few words is enough.
- Put the useful chapters in order of the video, and do not leave out the intro.
- Do not stuff keywords. Chapters are for people first.
Chapters and transcripts
YouTube says chapters may appear in transcripts. So well-named chapters also make a transcript easier to scan.
FAQ
How do I add timestamps to a YouTube video description?
Add lines like 0:00 Intro to the description in YouTube Studio. The first timestamp must be 00:00 and you need at least three.
How long must a YouTube chapter be?
At least 10 seconds.
Why are my YouTube chapters not showing?
Common causes are fewer than three timestamps, a first timestamp that is not 00:00, a chapter shorter than 10 seconds, or missing advanced features access.
Do YouTube chapters help SEO?
YouTube says chapters give each section its own preview and make the video easier to navigate. It does not publish a ranking effect, so treat them as a viewer feature first.
Can I turn off automatic chapters?
Yes, for one video, in bulk, or in your upload defaults, from YouTube Studio.