How to Add YouTube Chapters to Your Videos

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Format timestamps in your video description

   Add timestamps to your video description using the format 0:00 Chapter Title. Start with 0:00 for the introduction, then list subsequent chapters with their start times. Each timestamp must be on its own line and include a space between the timestamp and chapter title.

   Note: Keep chapter titles under 100 characters for better display across all devices.
2. 30 sec

   Meet the minimum requirements

   Include at least three chapters with the first starting at 0:00. Each chapter must be at least 10 seconds long. Your video must be longer than 3 minutes total for chapters to activate automatically.

3. 1 min

   Upload or update your video

   Upload your video normally through YouTube Studio or edit an existing video's description. Paste your formatted timestamps into the description field and click Save Changes. YouTube processes chapters within a few minutes of saving.

   Note: Chapters work retroactively—add them to existing videos by editing their descriptions.
4. 1 min

   Use YouTube Studio for advanced chapter editing

   Navigate to YouTube Studio > Content and select your video. Click the Editor tab, then Chapters. Add, remove, or edit chapter titles and timestamps directly in the interface without touching the description.

   Note: Studio's chapter editor shows a visual timeline, making it easier to set precise chapter boundaries.
5. 1 min

   Verify chapters are working

   Check your video's watch page for chapter markers on the progress bar. Hover over the bar to see chapter titles appear as tooltips. The description should show clickable timestamps that jump to specific sections when clicked.

   Note: Mobile users can double-tap the progress bar to jump between chapters quickly.
6. 1 min

   Optimize chapter titles for discovery

   Use descriptive, keyword-rich chapter titles that match what viewers search for. Include relevant terms in chapter names since YouTube indexes these for search results and suggested videos.

   Note: Chapter titles appear in YouTube search results and can help your video rank for specific topics covered in each section.