YouTube Timestamp Link
Generate a YouTube link that starts at a specific time. Perfect for sharing exact moments in a video.
What is a YouTube Timestamp Link?
A YouTube timestamp link is a URL that opens a video at a specific point in time rather than from the beginning. When you share a timestamp link, the viewer's player automatically seeks to that exact second. This is done by appending a time parameter to the URL — for example, adding ?t=90 starts the video at the 1 minute 30 second mark. YouTube also accepts the format?t=1h30m10s for longer videos.
Why Use Timestamp Links?
- Share a specific moment — Link friends or colleagues directly to the relevant part of a long video without making them scrub through it.
- Create chapter links — Add multiple timestamp links in a video description or blog post to let readers jump to sections that interest them.
- Citation and reference — When citing a YouTube video as a source, timestamp links let readers verify the exact claim without watching the entire video.
- Tutorial navigation — Instructional videos often benefit from a table of contents with timestamp links for each step in the process.
- Highlight reels — Link to a key moment in a sports match, live stream, or conference talk without needing to clip or re-upload the video.
How the Timestamp Generator Works
Paste any YouTube URL into the input field, set the hours, minutes, and seconds for the desired start time, and the tool instantly generates the correctly formatted timestamp URL. The generator handles all URL formats including standard watch URLs, shortened youtu.be links, and embed URLs. The output URL is ready to copy and paste into messages, documents, or website links.
How to Make a YouTube Link Start at a Specific Time
- Copy the YouTube video URL from the address bar or the Share button.
- Paste it into the field above and set the hours, minutes, and seconds you want playback to begin.
- Copy the generated link — or the embed code — and share it. The viewer's player seeks straight to that moment.
To do it by hand instead, append ?t=90 to a watch URL (or &t=90 if the URL already has a ?) to start at 90 seconds. The tool handles this formatting — including the 1h30m10s style — for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a timestamp link work on mobile?
Yes. Timestamp links work on both the YouTube mobile app and mobile browsers. When opened in the YouTube app, the video will start from the specified time just as it does on desktop. Some older Android or iOS YouTube app versions may behave differently, but all modern versions fully support the ?t= parameter.
Can I timestamp a live stream?
Timestamps work on archived live streams (replays) after the stream has ended, exactly like any other YouTube video. During a live stream, the video is not yet stored at a fixed position, so timestamp links do not apply. Once the stream is saved as a replay, you can add timestamps to the archived recording.
What is the difference between ?t= and #t= formats?
Both formats are supported by YouTube. The ?t= query parameter is the standard and most widely supported format. The hash#t= format also works but is processed client-side only and may not be preserved by some link-sharing platforms. Use ?t= for maximum compatibility.
Does the timestamp affect video analytics?
No. Timestamp links do not affect view counts or watch time analytics for the video creator. A view is counted whenever a user watches a sufficient portion of the video regardless of the starting point. Timestamp links simply change where playback begins.
Can I make the video stop at a certain time too?
The standard ?t= parameter only sets a start time. To also set an end time you need an embedded player using thestart andend parameters in the iframe embed code — regular share links cannot stop playback at a fixed point.
How do I add clickable timestamps to a video description?
In your own video's description, type times in mm:ss format (e.g. 1:30). YouTube turns them into clickable chapter links automatically. For linking to someone else's video, use a full timestamp URL generated above.