The fastest way to copy a YouTube link

To copy a YouTube video URL, go to the video you want to share, right-click on the video player, and select Copy video URL from the menu that appears. The full link is now in your clipboard and ready to paste anywhere — into an email, a text message, a document, or another website.

If right-clicking does not work on your device, you can also copy the URL directly from the address bar at the top of your browser. Click on the address bar, select all the text (or triple-click to highlight it), then right-click and choose Copy. The URL is now ready to paste.

YouTube also gives you a Share button below the video title on desktop and in the video menu on mobile. Clicking this button opens a panel with the video URL already selected and ready to copy — this is often the easiest route if you are not comfortable with right-clicking.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click the video player and select Copy video URL to copy the link in one step on desktop browsers.
  • The Share button below the video title opens a panel where the URL is already highlighted and ready to copy.
  • On mobile devices, tap the Share icon (three dots or a share symbol) and select Copy link from the menu.
  • You can also copy the URL directly from your browser's address bar by clicking it, selecting all, and copying the text.
  • YouTube timestamps can be added to the URL so the video starts at a specific moment when someone clicks the link.

Copying a YouTube URL on desktop browsers

On a computer, the simplest method is the right-click menu. Click anywhere on the video player itself (not on the title or description below it), then right-click. A small menu appears with several options. Look for Copy video URL and click it. The URL is now in your clipboard.

If you do not see that option, your browser may not support it. Instead, click on the address bar at the very top of your browser window — it shows the full web address starting with https://www.youtube.com. The entire address should highlight. Right-click on it and select Copy, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C (on Windows) or Command+C (on Mac).

The Share button is another reliable option. Scroll down slightly below the video title until you see buttons for Like, Share, Save, and More. Click Share. A panel opens on the right side showing the video URL in a text box. Click inside the box and the URL highlights automatically. Right-click and select Copy, or use Ctrl+C / Command+C.

Copying a YouTube URL on phones and tablets

On mobile devices, tap the Share icon, which usually appears as three dots stacked vertically (called a menu icon) or as a square with an arrow pointing outward. The exact location depends on your device and YouTube app version — it is typically in the top right corner of the video player or below the video title.

When you tap the share icon, a menu appears with several options. Look for Copy link or Copy URL and tap it. The link is now in your clipboard. On some phones, a small notification appears at the bottom of the screen confirming that the link has been copied.

If the menu does not show a copy option, try tapping Share instead, which may open a different panel. From there, you can often select Copy or Copy link. If you are still stuck, you can copy the URL from your browser's address bar the same way you would on a computer — tap the address bar, select all the text, and copy it.

Adding a timestamp to a YouTube URL

YouTube allows you to create a link that starts the video at a specific moment. This is useful when you want to share only a particular part of a long video. First, play the video and pause it at the exact moment you want the link to start. Note the time shown on the video player — for example, 2 minutes and 15 seconds.

Copy the video URL using any of the methods above. Then, at the very end of the URL, add ?t= followed by the time in seconds. For a video starting at 2 minutes and 15 seconds, the URL would end with ?t=135 (because 2 minutes equals 120 seconds, plus 15 more). If the URL already has a question mark in it, use &t= instead of ?t=.

When someone clicks your link, the video opens and automatically jumps to that moment. This works on desktop browsers, mobile apps, and embedded videos on other websites.

Copying a YouTube URL from a playlist or channel

If you want to share a link to an entire playlist rather than a single video, navigate to the playlist page. Copy the URL from your browser's address bar using the same method as before — click the address bar, select all, and copy. The URL will start with https://www.youtube.com/playlist.

To share a link to a channel, go to the channel's main page and copy the address bar URL the same way. Channel URLs typically start with https://www.youtube.com/@ followed by the channel name, or https://www.youtube.com/c/ for older channels.

You can also use the Share button on a channel page if it is available. The process is identical to sharing a single video — click or tap Share, and the channel URL appears in a text box ready to copy.

What to do if copy is not working

If right-clicking does not show a copy option, try a different browser. Some older browsers or browser extensions can block the right-click menu. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all support copying YouTube URLs directly from the video player.

If copying from the address bar is not working, make sure you are clicking on the actual address bar and not somewhere else on the page. The address bar is always at the very top of your browser window and shows the full web address. Click once on it to select it, then use Ctrl+A (Windows) or Command+A (Mac) to select all the text, then Ctrl+C or Command+C to copy.

On mobile, if the share menu does not appear, try closing the YouTube app completely and reopening it. If that does not help, try using your mobile browser (Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android) instead of the app. The browser version of YouTube has the same copy functionality and sometimes works better on certain devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy a YouTube URL without opening the video?

Not directly from the search results page. You must open the video first, then copy the URL from the player, the address bar, or the share menu. However, if you right-click on a video thumbnail in search results or a playlist, some browsers let you copy the link address directly — this works the same way as copying a link on any other website.

Does the copied URL work if I share it with someone else?

Yes. The URL you copy is the same link anyone can use to watch the video. It works whether you paste it into an email, a text message, a social media post, or anywhere else. The only exception is if the video is private or has been removed — in those cases, the person you share it with will see an error message.

What is the difference between the short URL and the full URL?

YouTube sometimes shows a shortened URL (like youtu.be/[code]) in the share menu, while the address bar shows the full URL (like youtube.com/watch?v=[code]). Both work identically — they point to the same video. Use whichever one appears in the share menu, or copy from the address bar if you prefer the full version.

Can I copy a URL from a YouTube video that is age-restricted?

Yes, you can copy the URL the same way as any other video. However, when someone clicks the link, they may be asked to sign in or verify their age before watching, depending on their account settings and location.

Will the copied URL include my watch history or personal information?

No. The URL you copy contains only the video ID and any parameters you added (like a timestamp). It does not include your account information, watch history, or any personal data. Anyone who clicks the link sees the same video you do, with no connection to your account.