The fastest way to get a YouTube link
The quickest method is to right-click on the video player and select "Copy video URL" from the menu that appears. This copies the full link to your clipboard in one action, and it works on computers running Windows, Mac, or Linux.
If you are on a phone or tablet, tap the Share button (it looks like an arrow pointing out of a box, usually near the top right of the video), then tap Copy link. The URL is now ready to paste anywhere.
Both methods copy the standard video link — the kind that starts with youtube.com/watch?v= followed by a string of letters and numbers. This link works everywhere and does not expire.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click the video player on a computer and select "Copy video URL" to copy the link in one step.
- On a phone or tablet, tap the Share button and then Copy link to get the URL to your clipboard.
- You can also grab the link directly from the address bar by selecting all the text and copying it.
- YouTube also offers a shortened link format (youtu.be) if you want a shorter URL to share.
- The video link remains the same whether you copy it from the player, the address bar, or the Share menu.
Copying from the address bar on a computer
If the right-click menu does not appear or you prefer a different method, you can copy the link directly from your browser's address bar. Click once on the address bar at the top of the window to select it, then press Ctrl+A (Windows) or Command+A (Mac) to select all the text.
Press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy. The full URL is now in your clipboard and ready to paste into an email, message, or document. This method works in every browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other.
Using the Share button on mobile devices
On an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, the Share button is the easiest route. Open the YouTube app or YouTube in your mobile browser, start playing the video, and look for the Share icon near the top of the screen. Tap it once.
A menu will appear with several options. Tap Copy link (on iPhone and iPad) or Copy URL (on some Android devices — the exact wording varies by phone). The link is now copied to your device's clipboard. You can paste it into any app: Messages, WhatsApp, email, Notes, or any other.
Getting a shortened YouTube link
YouTube offers a shorter link format that starts with youtu.be/ instead of the full youtube.com/watch?v= address. This shortened version is useful if you are posting in a space where character count matters, like a social media post or a text message.
To get the shortened link, use the Share button (on mobile) or right-click the video (on a computer) and look for an option labeled Copy shortened URL or Share. Not all browsers show this option in the right-click menu, so the Share button is more reliable. The shortened link points to the exact same video and works everywhere the full link does.
Copying a link to a specific moment in the video
If you want to share a link that starts playing at a particular time — for example, 2 minutes and 15 seconds into the video — use the timestamp feature. Right-click the video player and select Copy video URL at current time. This copies a link that includes the timestamp, so when someone opens it, the video jumps to that exact moment.
On mobile, tap the Share button, then look for an option that says Share at current time or Start at. The exact wording depends on your device and the YouTube app version. The resulting link is longer because it includes the time code, but it works the same way as a regular link.
What to do if copy does not work
If right-clicking does not show a copy option, or if the Share button is not visible, try refreshing the page. Sometimes YouTube loads incompletely, and a fresh page load fixes the issue. Press F5 (Windows) or Command+R (Mac) to refresh, then try again.
If you are using an older browser or an unusual device, the Share button or right-click menu might not work as described. In that case, the address bar method always works: click the address bar, select all the text, and copy it. This is the most reliable fallback on any device.
If you are copying a link from a YouTube video that is private or restricted, the link will still copy, but only people with permission to view the video will be able to open it. The link itself does not change — the restriction is on YouTube's end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the YouTube link expire or stop working?
No. A YouTube video link remains valid as long as the video exists on the platform. If the creator deletes the video, the link will show an error, but the link itself does not expire or become invalid on its own.
Can I copy a link to a playlist instead of a single video?
Yes. Right-click the playlist name or use the Share button next to the playlist title. The copied link will open the entire playlist, starting with the first video. You can also copy a link to a specific video within a playlist using the same methods.
What is the difference between the full link and the shortened link?
The full link (youtube.com/watch?v=...) and the shortened link (youtu.be/...) point to the exact same video. The shortened version is just shorter and easier to type or paste in tight spaces. Both work everywhere.
Will the link work if I copy it from an embedded YouTube video?
If the video is embedded on another website, right-clicking the player may not show YouTube's copy option — it depends on how the site embedded it. Instead, tap the YouTube logo in the corner of the player to open the video on YouTube itself, then copy the link from there.
Can I copy a link to a YouTube Shorts video?
Yes. Use the Share button on the Shorts player, or right-click and copy the URL. Shorts links follow the format youtube.com/shorts/[video ID] and work the same way as regular video links.