YouTube Chapter Timestamp Validator
Find why YouTube chapters are not showing and copy a corrected timestamp block.
One timestamp and title per line, such as 0:00 Intro
Read locally in your browser; no upload to a server
Seconds; checks the final chapter against the real ending
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Fix YouTube chapters not showing
YouTube chapters are usually a formatting problem before they are an SEO problem. The validator checks the rules that commonly stop chapter markers from appearing: the first timestamp must be00:00, there must be at least three timestamps in ascending order, and each chapter must be at least 10 seconds long.
Paste your timestamp block or upload a plain-text file. The tool reports the exact line that needs attention, then creates a normalized block you can copy into your YouTube description.
YouTube chapter timestamp rules
| Check | Requirement |
|---|---|
| First timestamp | 00:00 |
| Chapter count | At least 3 timestamps |
| Order | Ascending, with no duplicates |
| Spacing | At least 10 seconds per chapter |
| Title | A readable title after every timestamp |
| Formats | MM:SS or HH:MM:SS |
How to use the chapter validator
- Paste lines such as
0:00 Introand1:20 Setup, or upload a TXT file. - Optionally enter your video length to check the final chapter against the actual ending.
- Run the validator and fix any line-specific errors.
- Copy or download the cleaned block and paste it into the video description in YouTube Studio.
The cleaned output keeps your original order and titles while normalizing the timestamp format. It does not invent a title for a missing line and does not silently reorder chapters, because both changes could hide an editing mistake.
Chapters are navigation, not a ranking guarantee
Clear chapters help viewers understand a long video and jump to the section they need. They do not guarantee a search position, key-moment display, or watch-time increase. Verify each timestamp on the actual timeline before publishing, especially when captions or editing notes are out of sync.
Need chapter suggestions from a transcript? Try the Timestamp Generator first, then validate its output here. You can wrap the corrected block into a full description with the Description Generator.
Official YouTube source
Last verified 19 September 2026 against YouTube's Video Chapters help page. YouTube also notes that advanced features and other channel/video eligibility conditions can affect availability, even when the timestamp format is valid.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my YouTube chapters not showing?
Check that the first timestamp starts at 00:00, you have at least three timestamps in ascending order, each line has a title, and every chapter is at least 10 seconds long. This validator checks those format rules before you save the description.
What timestamp formats does YouTube accept for chapters?
Use MM:SS for shorter videos or HH:MM:SS for long videos. Each timestamp should be followed by a descriptive chapter title on the same line.
How many timestamps do YouTube chapters need?
YouTube says your video should have at least three timestamps listed in ascending order for manually added chapters.
What is the minimum length of a YouTube chapter?
YouTube says the minimum length for video chapters is 10 seconds. If you enter a video length, this tool also checks the final chapter duration.
Does this validator upload my timestamps or video?
No. Pasted text and uploaded TXT files are processed in your browser. The tool does not need a YouTube login or video upload.
More product questions are answered on the home FAQ. For privacy or advertising topics, see our Privacy Policy.