YouTube Chapter Timestamp List Builder
Build a YouTube-ready chapter list. Validates the 0:00 start, ascending order and 10-second minimum gap.
Quick answer: Build a YouTube-ready chapter list. Validates the 0:00 start, ascending order and 10-second minimum gap.
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Frequently asked questions
- How do I add chapters to a YouTube video?
- Paste a chapter list into the video description starting with `0:00`. Once it has at least three timestamps that are ≥10 s apart and in ascending order, YouTube turns them into chapter markers automatically.
- Why must the first chapter be 0:00?
- It's a YouTube requirement. Without a 0:00 entry the chapters won't activate at all and you'll see no chapter markers under the player.
- How many chapters do I need?
- Minimum three; maximum is around 100 in practice. Most videos use 4-12.
- What's the minimum gap between chapters?
- 10 seconds. We flag any pair closer together so YouTube doesn't reject the list.
- What's the right format?
- One per line: `0:00 Intro`, `0:30 Setup`, etc. We render exactly that block in the output area.
- Can I use h:mm:ss for long videos?
- Yes. h:mm:ss is required once a chapter passes the 1-hour mark. We accept either format and YouTube parses both.
- Does YouTube count chapters as separate views?
- No — chapters are navigation aids only; they do not split the watch metric.
- Why doesn't my chapter list show up?
- The most common reasons are a missing 0:00 entry, two chapters less than 10 seconds apart, or non-ascending order. The validator highlights all three.
- Are chapters automatically translated for international viewers?
- No. Chapter titles stay in whatever language you write them. To localise, edit per-language descriptions inside YouTube Studio.
- Is the chapter builder free?
- Yes — completely free, no signup, no watermark.