YouTube Chapter & Timestamp Generator

About YouTube Chapter & Timestamp Generator

The YouTube Chapter & Timestamp Generator is a free, browser-based tool for building a valid YouTube chapters block and checking it against YouTube's activation rules in real time. You paste an existing timestamp list or mark spots while scrubbing a local video, edit each row, and it live-validates the four requirements (first chapter at 0:00, at least 3 chapters, ascending order, each chapter 10+ seconds) before you copy the block into your video description. It also exports the same chapter list as WebVTT, MKV/OGM simple chapters, or Podlove Simple Chapters (PSC) for podcasts, plus optional on-device AI to suggest chapters from speech and polish titles. Everything runs locally in your browser — videos and text are never uploaded, and there is no signup.

How to use YouTube Chapter & Timestamp Generator

1. Paste an existing list (lines like 0:00 Intro, 1:23 - Topic, or 01:23:45 Title) into the import box and click Import, or click Sample to load an example to start from.
2. Or load a local video with Choose video, scrub to a spot, and press M (or 'Mark chapter here') to drop a chapter at that exact timestamp.
3. Edit the chapter rows: adjust each time and title, use Add chapter, reorder with the up/down arrows, delete rows, and Undo/Redo any change.
4. Watch the 'YouTube chapter requirements' checklist confirm 0:00 first, at least 3 chapters, ascending order, and each chapter 10+ seconds long.
5. Pick an export format with the segmented control — YouTube, VTT, MKV/OGM, or PSC.
6. Click Copy to grab the block (paste it into your video description) or Download to save the file (.txt/.vtt/.xml).
7. Optionally, with a video loaded, use 'Suggest chapters from speech' or 'Polish all titles' — both run on-device AI without uploading anything.

Frequently asked questions

Are my videos or chapter lists uploaded to a server?

No. Everything runs entirely in your browser — your video is read locally via an object URL, chapters are generated on your device, and nothing is ever uploaded. Even the optional AI transcription and title polishing run on-device.

Is it free and do I need an account?

Yes, it's completely free with no signup, account, or watermark.

What are the YouTube chapter rules it checks?

It live-validates the four activation requirements: the first chapter must start at exactly 0:00, there must be at least 3 chapters, timestamps must be in ascending order, and each chapter must be at least 10 seconds long. The 'All valid' stat turns Yes only when all four pass.

Which export formats are supported besides YouTube?

Four formats via a toggle: YouTube description text, WebVTT chapter tracks, MKV/OGM simple chapters (for mkvmerge --chapters), and Podlove Simple Chapters (PSC) for podcasts. YouTube output automatically switches to h:mm:ss once any chapter reaches one hour.

What timestamp formats can I paste in, and how are ranges handled?

You can paste m:ss, mm:ss, or h:mm:ss lines like '0:00 Intro' or '01:23:45 Title'. A live preview shows how many chapters will import; for a range like '1:23 - 2:00 Topic' it keeps the start time, and lines with no leading timestamp are skipped.

Can it create chapters automatically from a video?

Yes. Load a local video and the optional on-device AI can transcribe the speech (with a selectable spoken language) and suggest evenly spaced chapters, and a separate 'Polish all titles' button rewrites your titles to be tighter while keeping the timestamps. Local videos are capped at 500 MB.

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