YouTube's timestamp feature lets you link directly to the exact second where something happens

When you share a YouTube link with a timestamp, the video starts playing at that moment instead of from the beginning. YouTube builds this into the link itself — you don't need a special tool or app. The person who clicks your link will see the video jump to your chosen time automatically.

This works on desktop, mobile browsers, and the YouTube app. The timestamp stays in the link no matter where you paste it: email, text, Discord, Reddit, or anywhere else that accepts URLs.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click the video at the moment you want to share, select "Copy video URL at current time", and paste that link anywhere.
  • On mobile, tap the share button, then "Copy link" — YouTube automatically includes the timestamp for wherever you are in the video.
  • If you're building a link manually, add &t= followed by the number of seconds (for example, &t=145 for 2 minutes 25 seconds).
  • The timestamp works in the YouTube app, web browsers, and embedded videos on other websites.

How to create a timestamp link on desktop

Open the video and scrub to the exact moment you want to share. Pause there. Right-click anywhere on the video player and select "Copy video URL at current time" from the menu. YouTube copies the full link with the timestamp already attached.

Paste that link into an email, message, or document. When someone clicks it, the video will load and jump to that exact second. You can verify it worked by pasting the link into a new browser tab — it should start at your chosen time.

If the right-click menu doesn't appear, try clicking on the video itself rather than the controls at the bottom. Some browser extensions can block this menu, so if it's not showing, check your extensions or try a different browser.

How to create a timestamp link on mobile

Play the video and pause at the moment you want to share. Tap the share button (usually three dots or a share icon, depending on your phone). Select "Copy link" or "Share" depending on your device.

YouTube automatically includes the timestamp for wherever you paused the video. Paste the link into a text message, email, or social media app. The recipient will see the video start at your chosen time.

If you're using the YouTube app on iPhone or Android, the share button is typically in the top right corner of the video player. On some older versions, you may need to tap the three-dot menu icon first.

Building a timestamp link manually

If you need to edit a link or create one without using YouTube's copy function, you can add the timestamp yourself. Take the regular YouTube link and add &t= followed by the number of seconds where you want the video to start.

For example, if you want the video to start at 2 minutes and 25 seconds, the link would be: youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ&t=145. The 145 is the total seconds (2 × 60 + 25 = 145).

If the link already has other parameters (like &list= for a playlist), add your timestamp before those. The order doesn't always matter, but putting &t= early keeps it cleaner. Test the link in a new tab to make sure it jumps to the right moment.

Timestamps in YouTube playlists and embedded videos

Timestamps work in playlists too. If you're sharing a link to a video within a playlist, pause at your chosen moment and use the same copy-link method. The timestamp will be included in the playlist link.

When a video is embedded on another website (like a blog or forum), timestamps usually work as well. The embedded player will jump to your time when someone clicks the link. However, some websites customize their embedded players, so test the link to be sure.

If you're sharing a timestamp link to a YouTube Shorts video (the short-form vertical videos), the timestamp feature works the same way, though Shorts are typically too brief for timestamps to be as useful.

What happens when you share a timestamp link

The person who receives your link doesn't need to do anything special. They click it, and YouTube (or their browser) automatically starts the video at your chosen time. The video player shows the timestamp in the progress bar so they know where in the video they are.

If they rewind or skip forward, the timestamp is no longer active — they're just watching normally from that point. The link itself never changes; it always starts at the time you set.

On some devices or older YouTube versions, there can be a 1–2 second delay before the video jumps to the timestamp. This is normal and not a problem with your link.

Troubleshooting timestamp links that don't work

If a timestamp link isn't jumping to the right moment, first check that the link includes &t= and a number. If you built it manually, verify the math: multiply minutes by 60 and add the seconds. A link to 3:45 should have &t=225, not &t=345.

If the link looks correct but still doesn't work, try opening it in a different browser or clearing your browser cache. Some browser extensions that modify YouTube can interfere with timestamps. Temporarily disable extensions and try again.

On mobile, if the YouTube app isn't jumping to the timestamp, try opening the link in your mobile browser instead. The app usually handles timestamps correctly, but browser versions sometimes behave differently depending on your phone's operating system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a timestamp to a YouTube link that someone else sent me?

Yes. Pause the video at the moment you want, then use the copy-link method to generate a new link with your timestamp. You can also manually add &t= and the seconds to any YouTube link. The original link doesn't change — you're just creating a new one that points to a different starting time.

Do timestamps work if the video is private or age-restricted?

Timestamps work the same way, but the person receiving the link still needs permission to watch the video. If it's private, they need to be invited. If it's age-restricted, they need to be signed into a YouTube account that's old enough. The timestamp doesn't bypass these restrictions.

What if I want to share a specific section, not just a starting point?

YouTube's timestamp feature only marks a starting point, not a range. If you want someone to watch only a 30-second clip from a 10-minute video, you can share the timestamp link and tell them when to stop, or you can download the video and edit it into a shorter clip using video editing software.

Will the timestamp work if the video is deleted or made private later?

The link itself will still contain the timestamp, but if the video is no longer available, the link won't play anything. The timestamp data is stored in the URL, not on YouTube's servers, so it survives as long as the link does — but only if the video is still accessible.

Can I use timestamps with YouTube's "Watch Later" or other playlists?

Yes. If you add a video to a playlist and want to share a link that starts at a specific time, use the copy-link method while watching. The timestamp will be included in the playlist link you share.