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How to add chapters to a YouTube video?

Add a list of timestamps and chapter titles to your video description in YouTube Studio, then save. You can write the list yourself or use Timestamply to prepare a draft and review it before publishing.

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1. Prepare chapters with Timestamply

You need a YouTube link and available captions to generate a draft. If you already have a chapter list, skip to the format check. These short demos show the workspace; pause or replay each one as you follow along.

Step 1: Copy your YouTube link and paste it into Timestamply

Open your video on YouTube, choose Share and copy its link. Go to Timestamply and select Get chapters. Sign in or create an account when prompted, then paste the link into the Video URL field in your workspace. Use a video you own or have permission to process.

Demo: copy a YouTube link and paste it into the chapter workspace.

Step 2: Generate a chapter draft from the captions

Press the arrow button beside the Video URL field to submit the video. Wait for the chapter list to appear. Timestamply uses the video’s available captions to prepare titles and timestamps; if captions cannot be retrieved, choose another video with available captions.

Demo: submit the video and wait for the first chapter draft.

Step 3: Review, edit and copy your chapters

Watch the video around each proposed boundary. Check that the title describes the topic that starts there, then click a title or timestamp to edit it. Add or remove chapters as needed. Check the format below, then select Copy all chapters. You will paste the result into YouTube Studio yourself.

Demo: edit a chapter and use Copy all chapters to copy the finished list.

2. Check the timestamp format

  • Start at 00:00.
  • Include at least three timestamps in ascending order, each with a title.
  • Leave at least 10 seconds per chapter, including the last chapter before the video ends.

These are the YouTube chapter rules. Check the content too: clear labels help viewers decide where to jump, and each timestamp should start the topic named on that line.

A real chapter example

Here is a chapter list for What is Claude Code? by Claude, a video lasting 2:55. The four topic boundaries can be checked against the video and its captions. Use this list for this video; replace it with your own topics and timestamps for a different upload.

00:00 — Claude Code vs. Claude AI: Key Differences
00:57 — How Claude Code Works as an AI Agent
01:45 — Context, Permissions, and Claude Code’s Limits
02:34 — Claude Code Features and Where to Get It

The gaps are 57, 48 and 49 seconds. The final chapter starts at 2:34 and has about 21 seconds before the end, so every chapter clears the 10-second minimum. Do not add the video end time as another chapter.

3. Add the chapters in YouTube Studio

Open YouTube Studio and follow these steps with your reviewed chapter list.

  1. Open YouTube Studio. Sign in to the channel that owns the video.
  2. Select Content. Choose the video you want to update.
  3. Find Description. Keep your existing description and paste the chapter list on separate lines.
  4. Check the list. Use 00:00 first, at least three ascending timestamps and chapters of at least 10 seconds, including the final one.
  5. Select Save. Save the video details after editing the description.
  6. Check the watch page. Open the video and try the chapter labels on the progress bar.
Official YouTube Studio walkthrough: How to Add Chapters to Your Videos Using Timestamps. Watch here or open the tutorial on YouTube.

4. If your chapters do not appear

Recheck the saved list against the format above. If it is correct, consult YouTube’s chapter help and your channel’s access to advanced features. A correctly formatted list does not guarantee chapters on every video.

Timestamply prepares the list; you control the description and YouTube controls chapter availability. Review the official chapter help if the list is saved but chapters are still missing.

Follow the YouTube chapters not showing checklist for common timestamp errors and separate checks for automatic chapters.

5. Frequently asked questions

Can I edit chapters later?

Yes. Change the timestamp list in the video description and save again.

What happens to YouTube’s automatic chapters?

Your own chapter list overrides the automatic chapters for that video.

Do I need a paid Timestamply plan?

No. The free plan includes one video per month, up to 30 minutes long. Check the currentplan limits if you need more videos or longer uploads. An account is required to generate chapters.

Does Timestamply publish the chapters for me?

You review and copy the list, then paste it into YouTube Studio and save. Timestamply does not update your YouTube description automatically.

Choosing a workflow for your podcast? Compare manual chapters, YouTube automatic chapters and Timestamply to decide how to prepare your next list.