Updated July 29, 2026
YouTube Chapter Rules Reference
YouTube chapters are created from timestamp lines in a video description. This sheet keeps the practical checks in one place before you publish.
Chapter timestamp checks
| Rule | Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Start timestamp | First chapter starts at 00:00 | YouTube expects the chapter list to begin at the start of the video. |
| Minimum count | At least three timestamps | Shorter lists usually stay as plain description text. |
| Order | Timestamps are ascending | Out-of-order timestamps can prevent chapter parsing. |
| Minimum length | Each chapter is at least 10 seconds | Very short chapters do not meet YouTube's chapter guidance. |
Valid example
00:00 Intro
01:24 Setup
04:10 Demo
08:30 RecapReferences
Questions
Why are my YouTube chapters not showing?
Check that the list starts at 00:00, has at least three timestamps, is in ascending order, and avoids chapters shorter than ten seconds.
Can chapter timestamps use hours?
Yes. Long videos can use hour timestamps such as 1:02:30, while shorter videos usually use MM:SS.