YouTube timestamps let you link directly to the exact second where something happens

A timestamp is a marker in a YouTube URL that tells the video to start playing at a specific time instead of from the beginning. When you send someone a timestamped link, the video opens and jumps straight to that moment — useful when you want to show a friend a particular scene, a reaction, or the exact part that proves your point without making them watch ten minutes of setup.

YouTube builds the timestamp into the link itself. You do not need special software or permissions. The person who receives the link sees the same video you do, and the timestamp works whether they are on a computer, phone, or tablet.

Key Takeaways

  • The simplest way to create a timestamp link is to right-click the video at the moment you want to share and select "Copy video URL at current time" from the menu.
  • On mobile, pause the video at your chosen moment, tap the share button, and select "Copy link" — the timestamp is included automatically.
  • You can also manually add a timestamp to any YouTube URL by typing ?t= followed by the number of seconds (or &t= if the URL already has a question mark).
  • Timestamps work in links you send via text, email, or social media, and the video will start at that exact time for anyone who clicks.

Creating a timestamp link on a computer

Open the video in your browser and play it until you reach the moment you want to share. You do not have to be exact — you can adjust the timestamp later if needed. Pause the video at that point.

Right-click anywhere on the video player itself (not on the title or comments below). A menu appears with several options. Look for "Copy video URL at current time" and click it. YouTube copies the full link with the timestamp already built in. Paste it wherever you want to send it — email, chat, a text message, a forum post.

If the right-click menu does not appear, try clicking the share button instead. It is usually a box with an arrow near the top right of the video player. Click it, then click "Copy link". The timestamp is included automatically.

Creating a timestamp link on a phone or tablet

Open the YouTube app or YouTube in your mobile browser. Play the video and pause it at the moment you want to share.

Tap the share button — it looks like an arrow pointing out of a box, usually near the top of the screen. A menu of sharing options appears. Tap "Copy link". YouTube copies the URL with the timestamp included. You can now paste it into a text message, email, or any app that accepts links.

If you are using the YouTube app and the share button is not visible, try tapping the three dots (menu icon) at the top right of the video player. The share option is usually there.

Manually adding a timestamp to a link

If you already have a YouTube link and want to add a timestamp, you can edit the URL directly. YouTube timestamps use a straightforward code: ?t= followed by the number of seconds where you want the video to start.

For example, if you want a video to start at 2 minutes and 30 seconds, that is 150 seconds total. The link would look like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID&t=150s

If the link already contains a question mark (which means it already has other information in it), use &t= instead of ?t=. The s at the end stands for seconds and is optional, but including it makes the timestamp clearer.

You can also write timestamps in minutes and seconds format. Instead of calculating total seconds, type ?t=2m30s for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. YouTube understands both formats.

What happens when someone clicks a timestamped link

When a person clicks your timestamped link, YouTube opens the video and automatically jumps to the time you specified. The video does not play from the beginning — it starts right at that moment. The person can still rewind or fast-forward if they want to see context, but they land exactly where you wanted them to.

Timestamps work across all devices and all ways of sharing. Whether you send the link via email, text message, social media, or paste it into a document, the timestamp stays attached and works the same way.

Timestamps in comments and community posts

If you are commenting on a YouTube video or posting in the channel's community section, you can type a timestamp directly into your text. Write it in the format 0:00 or 2:30 (minutes and seconds). YouTube automatically turns it into a clickable link that jumps to that moment in the video.

This is useful when you are discussing a video with others in the comments. Instead of saying "around the middle of the video," you can write "0:47" and anyone reading your comment can click it to jump straight there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a timestamp link to someone else's video?

Yes. Timestamps work on any public YouTube video, whether you uploaded it or not. Use the same method — right-click and copy the URL at current time, or manually add the timestamp code to the link.

Do timestamps work if the video is private or unlisted?

Timestamps work, but only for people who already have permission to watch the video. If someone cannot access the video itself, the timestamp does not help them — they will see a permission error instead.

What if I want to share a section that spans multiple minutes?

Create a link with the timestamp where the section starts. When the person clicks it, they land at that moment and can watch forward from there. YouTube does not have a built-in way to set an end time in the link itself.

Do timestamps work in YouTube playlists?

Timestamps work in individual video links, but if you share a playlist link, the timestamp may not carry over. For a specific moment in a specific video, use the individual video link with the timestamp rather than a playlist link.

Can I edit a timestamp after I have shared the link?

No. The timestamp is part of the URL itself. If you want to share a different moment, create a new link with the new timestamp and send that instead.