You can add a timestamp to a YouTube link in three ways: by hand in the URL, through YouTube's built-in share tool, or by copying the link at the exact moment you want
A timestamp tells YouTube where to start playing a video. Instead of sending someone a link that starts at the beginning, you can send a link that jumps straight to the 3-minute mark, or the 47-second mark, or anywhere else. The video still plays from start to finish — the timestamp just changes where the playback begins.
The method you choose depends on whether you are on a computer or phone, and whether you are sharing the link right away or saving it for later. All three methods produce the same result: a working link with a timestamp built in.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube's share button creates a timestamped link automatically if you pause the video at the moment you want, then click "Share" and toggle on "Start at".
- You can add a timestamp by hand to any YouTube URL by typing ?t= followed by the number of seconds (or &t= if the URL already has a question mark).
- On a phone, pause the video at your chosen moment, tap Share, and look for a "Start at" or "Timestamp" option in your YouTube app.
- Timestamps work the same way whether you share via link, embed, or direct URL — the video always starts at the time you specified.
Using YouTube's Share button on a computer
Open the video and pause it at the exact second you want the timestamp to begin. Click the Share button below the video player. A small window will pop up showing the video URL and several sharing options.
Look for a toggle or checkbox labeled Start at (sometimes shown as a clock icon). Turn it on. The URL in the share box will now include the timestamp — you will see something like ?t=187 at the end, which means 187 seconds into the video. Copy this link and send it wherever you need.
If you do not see a "Start at" option, your browser may be blocking it or your YouTube account may have a setting turned off. Try a different browser, or use the manual method described below.
Adding a timestamp by hand to the URL
You can edit any YouTube link directly to add a timestamp, without using the Share button. First, figure out how many seconds into the video you want to start. If you want to start at 2 minutes and 30 seconds, that is 150 seconds (2 × 60 + 30).
Find the YouTube URL. It will look like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ (the letters and numbers after v= are the video ID). At the very end, add ?t= followed by your number of seconds. The full link becomes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ?t=150.
If the URL already has a question mark in it (for example, if it includes ?list= for a playlist), use &t= instead of ?t=. So it would be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ&list=PLxxx&t=150. YouTube will ignore the extra characters and jump to 150 seconds.
Creating a timestamp on a phone or tablet
Open the YouTube app and play the video. Pause it at the moment you want the timestamp to start. Tap the Share button (usually a box with an arrow pointing out of it).
In the share menu, look for an option labeled Start at, Timestamp, or a clock icon. Tap it to turn it on. The app will create a timestamped link. Copy the link from the share box and paste it wherever you need — into a message, email, or document.
If your YouTube app does not show this option, you can still use the manual method: copy the regular video link, then edit it by adding ?t= and the number of seconds at the end, just as you would on a computer.
How timestamps work in different situations
A timestamped link works the same way no matter how you share it. If you send the link via text, email, or social media, the person who clicks it will land on that exact moment in the video. The video does not skip the earlier part — it simply starts playing from your chosen time.
If you embed a video on a website using YouTube's embed code, you can add a timestamp to the embed URL the same way: add ?t= or &t= followed by seconds. The embedded video will start at that timestamp when someone loads the page.
Timestamps also work with YouTube Shorts and livestream videos, though livestreams may behave differently depending on whether the stream is still live or has been saved as a video.
Converting minutes and seconds to total seconds
When you add a timestamp by hand, you need to convert your target time into total seconds. Use this formula: (minutes × 60) + seconds.
| Time in video | Calculation | Total seconds | URL ending |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0:30 | 0 × 60 + 30 | 30 | ?t=30 |
| 1:45 | 1 × 60 + 45 | 105 | ?t=105 |
| 5:20 | 5 × 60 + 20 | 320 | ?t=320 |
| 10:15 | 10 × 60 + 15 | 615 | ?t=615 |
| 1:30:45 | (1 × 3600) + (30 × 60) + 45 | 5445 | ?t=5445 |
For videos longer than an hour, multiply the hours by 3600, then add the minutes and seconds. A timestamp of 1 hour, 30 minutes, and 45 seconds is 5445 seconds total.
Troubleshooting timestamps that do not work
If you send a timestamped link and it does not jump to the right moment, the most common cause is a typo in the URL. Double-check that you used ?t= (not &t= unless there was already a question mark) and that your number of seconds is correct.
Some older videos or videos with restricted access may not support timestamps. If the link works for you but not for the person you sent it to, they may have a different YouTube account status or their browser may have a setting blocking the feature. Ask them to try a different browser or to manually jump to the time in the video description.
If you are embedding a video on a website and the timestamp does not work, check that you added it to the correct part of the embed code — the src attribute of the iframe, not somewhere else in the code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a timestamp to a YouTube playlist link?
Yes. Playlist links already contain a question mark, so use &t= instead of ?t=. The timestamp will apply to whichever video is playing when someone clicks the link. For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ&list=PLxxx&t=120.
Do timestamps work on YouTube Shorts?
Timestamps do not work on Shorts the same way they do on regular videos. Shorts are designed to play from the beginning, and YouTube does not support jumping to a specific second. For Shorts, you may need to describe the moment in text instead.
Will the timestamp work if someone watches the video offline or downloads it?
No. Timestamps only work when you click a link in a browser or app connected to the internet. If someone downloads the video file itself, the timestamp information is not included in the file.
Can I create a timestamp for a private or unlisted video?
Yes, timestamps work on private and unlisted videos. However, the person you send the link to must have permission to watch the video in the first place. The timestamp does not grant access — it only changes where playback starts.
What happens if I add a timestamp beyond the video's length?
YouTube will jump to the end of the video or ignore the timestamp entirely, depending on your browser. It is best to use a timestamp that falls within the actual video length. If you are unsure of the exact length, use the Share button instead — it will not let you set a timestamp beyond the video's duration.