Add a timestamp by putting ?t= and the number of seconds into the video URL

A timestamp link is a YouTube URL that starts the video at a specific moment instead of at the beginning. You create one by adding ?t= followed by the number of seconds into the video where you want it to start. For example, if you want someone to watch from the 2-minute mark, you add ?t=120 to the end of the link (120 seconds = 2 minutes).

This works on any YouTube video you can watch. The person who clicks the link will see the video player open at that exact second, though they can still scroll back to the beginning if they want. Timestamps are useful when you want to point someone to a specific moment in a long video — a particular song in a compilation, a specific question in an interview, or a key moment in a tutorial.

Key Takeaways

  • Add ?t= followed by seconds to any YouTube URL to make it start at that point — for example, youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ?t=45 starts 45 seconds in.
  • Convert minutes to seconds by multiplying by 60, so a 3-minute 30-second mark is 210 seconds.
  • YouTube's built-in Share button with timestamp option is the fastest way if you are already watching the video.
  • Timestamp links work in embeds, comments, and messages — anywhere you can paste a URL.
  • The person who receives the link can still rewind to the start or skip ahead; the timestamp only sets where the video begins playing.

Use YouTube's Share button to create a timestamp link while watching

The easiest method is built into YouTube itself. While watching a video, pause at the moment you want to link to, then click the Share button below the video player. A menu will pop up showing the video URL and several sharing options.

Look for a checkbox labeled Start at (on desktop) or Current time (on mobile). Check that box, and YouTube will automatically add the timestamp to the URL. The link in the Share menu will now include ?t= and the correct number of seconds. Copy that link and send it wherever you need — it will work in messages, emails, comments, or anywhere else you paste it.

Manually add the timestamp if you know the exact second

If you already have a YouTube link and want to add a timestamp without using the Share button, you can edit the URL directly. Find the part of the link that says ?v= followed by a string of letters and numbers (that is the video ID). After that video ID, add &t= and the number of seconds.

For example, a normal link looks like this: youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ. To make it start at 1 minute 15 seconds (75 seconds), change it to: youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ&t=75. If the link already has other parameters (other things after the ?), use &t= instead of ?t= — the & separates multiple parameters.

Convert minutes and seconds to the total number of seconds

YouTube timestamps work in seconds only, so you need to convert if you are thinking in minutes. Multiply the minutes by 60, then add any remaining seconds. A video moment at 5 minutes and 30 seconds becomes 330 seconds (5 × 60 = 300, plus 30 = 330).

If you are not sure of the exact second, play the video and watch the progress bar at the bottom of the player. Hover your mouse over the progress bar and a tooltip will show the time at that point. When you see the moment you want, note the time shown and convert it to seconds.

Timestamp links work in embeds and comments too

A timestamped YouTube link works anywhere a regular YouTube link works. If you embed a video on a website using YouTube's embed code, you can add the timestamp to the embed URL and the video will start at that point when someone loads the page. In YouTube comments, pasting a timestamped link will display as a clickable link that respects the timestamp.

This is especially useful in comment sections of long videos — if someone asks about a specific moment, you can reply with a timestamped link that takes them directly there. The same applies to Discord, Slack, email, or any other platform where you can paste a URL.

Timestamps in short-form videos and playlists work differently

YouTube Shorts do not support timestamps because they are designed to play from the beginning and are typically under 60 seconds long. If you try to add a timestamp to a Shorts URL, it will be ignored.

Playlist links can include timestamps, but the timestamp applies only to the first video in the playlist. If you want to link to a specific video within a playlist and start it at a certain moment, use the individual video's URL with the timestamp, not the playlist URL. The video will play from that timestamp, and the playlist will continue normally once that video ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I paste a timestamp link and it does not start at the right time?

Check that you converted the time correctly to seconds. A common mistake is forgetting to multiply minutes by 60. Also make sure the link includes either ?t= or &t= — if you used the wrong one or left it out, the timestamp will not work. Try clicking the link in a new tab to see if it works there.

Can I share a timestamp link on social media?

Yes. Timestamp links work on Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and other platforms that display links. When someone clicks the link, they will go to YouTube and the video will start at your chosen moment. Some platforms may preview the video thumbnail, but the timestamp will still work when clicked.

Do I need to use ?t= or &t= in the timestamp?

Use ?t= if the URL has nothing after the video ID. Use &t= if there are already other parameters in the URL (things after a ?). YouTube accepts both, but using the correct one keeps the URL properly formatted.

Will the person who receives the link see the whole video or just from the timestamp onward?

They will see the whole video. The timestamp only sets where the video starts playing — they can rewind to the beginning at any time using the progress bar. The video does not cut off before the timestamp.

Can I create a timestamp link on mobile?

Yes. Open the video, pause at the moment you want, tap Share, and look for Current time or a similar option. Tap it to add the timestamp to the link, then copy and share. The process is the same as on desktop, just with slightly different button names.