Free tool · No signup
YouTube Timestamp Generator
Paste a timestamped transcript and get ready-to-paste chapters — the AI finds the topic changes and matches them to the right times.
- 100% free
- No signup
- Free AI · 10 runs a day
Step by step
How to use the Timestamp Generator
Step 01
On your video, open the description → “Show transcript” → select all → copy.
Step 02
Paste it here. The AI detects topic changes and picks each chapter's start time.
Step 03
Copy the chapter block into your video description — done.
Understand your results
What the results mean
YouTube turns a list of timestamps in your description into chapters: the segmented progress bar viewers can scan and jump through. The rules: the list must start at 0:00, have at least 3 entries, and each chapter must be 10+ seconds.
The generator uses your transcript's own timestamps, so chapters land where topics actually change — review the titles and adjust any wording before publishing. Chapters also feed Google's "key moments" in search results.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I add chapters to a YouTube video?
Paste a timestamp list starting with 0:00 into the video description — exactly the block this tool generates. Save, and the chapter bar appears.
Why do chapters need 0:00 first?
That's YouTube's requirement for activating chapters, along with at least 3 entries of 10+ seconds each. We enforce the 0:00 start automatically.
Where does the transcript come from?
Copy it from YouTube's own transcript panel ('Show transcript' in the description) — it includes the timestamps the AI needs.
Do chapters help SEO?
They improve navigation and watch satisfaction, and they can appear as 'key moments' in Google search — a modest but real win.
Why are my YouTube chapters not showing?
The usual causes: the list doesn't start at exactly 0:00, has fewer than 3 entries, a chapter is shorter than 10 seconds, or the timestamps aren't at the start of their lines. Also allow a few minutes after saving — chapters aren't instant.
Why are chapters not showing on the progress bar on mobile?
If chapters work on desktop but not mobile, it's usually app caching — reopen the app. If they show nowhere, re-check the three formatting rules above.
Is this tool free?
Yes, up to 10 AI generations per day. The transcript is sent to Google's Gemini API and isn't stored by us.
Last updated November 4, 2026 · Reviewed by the channelpeeker team · How we calculate