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Chapters and timestamp formatter

Clean up video chapter timestamps, or build them from the length of each part.

Your files stay on your device

How it works

  1. 1Choose Clean up timestamps, or Build from durations.
  2. 2Paste your lines. A timestamp and a title on each line.
  3. 3Read the formatted list and any warnings under it.
  4. 4Copy it into your video description.

What the options do

Clean up timestamps
Reads styles such as 1:5, 01:05, 4m30s and 1h2m, and writes them all the same way.
Build from durations
Write each part as Title, length (for example Intro, 1:05). The start time of each is worked out for you.
Two-digit minutes
Writes 05:30 instead of 5:30.
Dash between time and title
Writes "5:30 - Title" instead of "5:30 Title".

Privacy

Everything is done in your browser. Your text and images are not uploaded.

Questions people ask

What does YouTube need for chapters?

The first timestamp must be 0:00, there must be at least three, they must be in order, and each chapter must be at least 10 seconds long. They go in the description, one per line.

Why are my chapters not showing?

Usually the first timestamp is not exactly 0:00, there are fewer than three, or a chapter is under 10 seconds. The tool lists these problems under the result.

Which time styles can it read?

m:ss, mm:ss, h:mm:ss, 4m30s, 1h2m3s and plain seconds. A time can come before or after the title.

How do durations turn into start times?

The first chapter starts at 0:00, and each next one starts when the previous length ends. The last length is not needed for the start time.

Can I use the same list on other platforms?

Many platforms and podcast apps read similar timestamps, but only YouTube turns them into chapters in its player.

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