How to add chapters to your videos (and why they don't show up)

Chapters split your video into labelled sections on the progress bar. Viewers can jump straight to the part they want, and each chapter can show up in search results on its own. You add them by typing timestamps into your description.

The four rules

Chapters only appear when every one of these is true:

1. The first timestamp is 0:00. Even if your intro is just a few seconds long.
2. There are at least three timestamps.
3. Every chapter is at least 10 seconds long.
4. Each timestamp is on its own line, with a title.

Timestamps should also go in order, from the start of the video to the end.

Example

0:00 Intro
0:45 What you'll need
2:10 Step 1: Prepare the base
5:30 Step 2: Assemble
9:05 Final result

For videos over an hour, use hours too: 1:02:15 Bonus tips.

Why chapters don't show up

• Missing 0:00. Starting at 0:05 or 0:10 is the most common mistake.
• A chapter is too short. Two timestamps less than 10 seconds apart break the whole set.
• Timestamps aren't on separate lines, or there's other text in front of the time.
• Only two timestamps. You need three or more.
• Automatic chapters are turned off and the manual ones contain one of the errors above.

Check your chapters automatically

The Description Builder checks every rule as you type and points to the exact line that needs fixing. It also formats your links and hashtags, then gives you the full description ready to paste.

Writing good chapter titles

• Keep them short: 2 to 5 words.
• Describe what happens, not just "Part 1, Part 2".
• Use the words people would search for. Chapters can appear in search results.