Video Chapters

What are video chapters?

Video chapters break a YouTube video into sections, each with an individual title and preview. Chapters add info and context to every part of the video and let viewers jump back and rewatch specific moments instead of scrubbing blindly.

In the player, chapters show up as segments separated by vertical lines in the progress bar — the chapter title appears as you move the scrubber. The full chapter list also sits at the bottom of the video description, and chapters may appear in the transcript.

Why chapters matter for creators

Chapters are a navigation feature first, but they work on the numbers a channel grows on. A viewer who lands straight on the section they came for is less likely to close the video — which supports audience retention — and more likely to finish it or come back to rewatch specific parts, which adds watch time. Both signals shape how often the YouTube algorithm recommends a video.

Chapters also turn long videos into reference material: a 40-minute tutorial with a clear chapter list keeps collecting views from people who need just one specific step.

How to add chapters to a video

To add your own chapters:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.

2. From the left menu, select Content.

3. Click the video you want to edit.

4. In the description, add a list of timestamps and titles.

5. Click Save.

Chapters appear only when all 3 conditions hold: the first timestamp starts at 00:00, the list has at least 3 timestamps in ascending order, and every chapter is at least 10 seconds long. Your own timestamps override automatic chapters.

Automatic chapters

YouTube can also generate chapters automatically. Open the video on the Content page, click Show more, and under Automatic chapters select "Allow automatic chapters" — the box is checked by default for new uploads. Not all videos are eligible, and not every eligible video gets them: if the channel has any active strikes, or the content may be inappropriate to some viewers, the chapters feature is not available.

You can turn automatic chapters off per video, in bulk, or for all future uploads: Settings → Upload defaults → Advanced settings. If you don't have access to chapters yet, apply for access to advanced features. The full feature description is on the official Video Chapters page.

How to see whether chapters help

Open the video's analytics and check the Engagement tab: watch time and average view duration show whether viewers stay longer, and the audience retention graph shows where they leave or which parts they rewatch. Compare videos with and without chapters, or the same video before and after adding timestamps. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide on how to add timestamps to YouTube videos.