Skip to content
Curiosity Diaries

YouTube Chapters Generator

Format and validate video chapters.

  • 100% free
  • No sign-up
  • Runs in your browser

Chapters that YouTube actually accepts

YouTube only shows chapters when your description follows strict rules: the first timestamp must be 0:00, there must be at least three, and each chapter has to be at least ten seconds long.

Paste timestamps in any order or format and this tool sorts them, normalises the times and tells you exactly which rule is broken.

  1. 1

    Paste your notes

    Times before or after titles, in any order.

  2. 2

    Fix any warnings

    The checker explains each problem.

  3. 3

    Copy into the description

    Chapters appear once YouTube reprocesses the video.

Frequently asked questions

Why aren't my chapters showing?

Usually the first chapter doesn't start at 0:00, there are fewer than three, or one is shorter than 10 seconds. Automatic chapters can also be switched off in YouTube Studio.

Do chapters help SEO?

They can: Google sometimes shows chapters as "key moments" in search results, and they help viewers jump to what they came for.

How long can chapter titles be?

There's no hard limit, but short, descriptive titles read best on the progress bar.

More free tools

All free tools