YouTube Timestamp Link Generator
Paste a YouTube video URL, enter the start time, and copy a link that opens the video at that exact moment.
Works with YouTube watch URLs, youtu.be links, Shorts, and embed URLs.
How it works
Paste a YouTube URL
Use a normal YouTube watch link, youtu.be short link, Shorts URL, or embed URL.
Enter the start time
Type the time as hours, minutes, and seconds, or use a quick format like 1:23.
Copy the timestamp link
Share the generated link so viewers open the video at the exact moment.
YouTube timestamp URL formats
Different YouTube link types use slightly different timestamp parameters. The generator keeps the rest of your URL intact and chooses the right format automatically.
| Link type | Timestamp parameter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Watch page | ?t=90s or &t=90s | Best for normal youtube.com/watch links and most sharing use cases. |
| youtu.be short link | ?t=90s | Keeps the short URL clean while opening the same video at the selected second. |
| Embed player | ?start=90 | YouTube embeds use start instead of t, so the tool switches formats for you. |
| Playlist video URL | &t=90s | Keeps the playlist ID so the video can still open inside the playlist context. |
When to use a YouTube timestamp link
Save people from scrubbing through a long video.
Share a lesson moment
Send students directly to the key explanation inside a lecture or tutorial.
Write better comments
Copy the exact timestamp link before posting a YouTube comment or reply.
Share with teammates
Point colleagues to the exact clip in a meeting recording, demo, or review video.
Save important moments
Keep a clean link to the section you want to revisit later.
Why a YouTube timestamp link may not work
Most timestamp problems come from player behavior, invalid time values, or video availability rather than the link itself.
Mobile apps can handle links differently
Some YouTube app versions normalize URLs after opening them. If a timestamp fails in the app, test the same link in a mobile browser.
Shorts may ignore precise seeking
Shorts URLs can accept timestamp parameters, but the Shorts player experience is less consistent than the standard watch page.
Private or removed videos cannot start correctly
A timestamp only works when the viewer can access the video. Private, deleted, age-restricted, or region-blocked videos may not play at all.
The time must be inside the video length
If the timestamp is longer than the video duration, YouTube may start at the beginning, end the video, or ignore the parameter.
How the timestamp link actually works
No magic, just a URL parameter YouTube already understands — this tool builds it correctly so you don't have to edit the link by hand.
Runs entirely in your browser
Parsing the URL and adding the timestamp happens on your device. The tool never calls the YouTube API, so there's no quota to hit and nothing is sent to our servers beyond the page load itself.
Keeps the rest of the link intact
Any playlist ID, referral tag, or other query parameter already on the URL stays exactly as it was — only an existing t or start value is replaced with the new one.
Two parameter styles, handled for you
Watch pages, youtu.be links, and Shorts get a ?t=90s parameter. Embed URLs use ?start=90 instead, since YouTube's embed player ignores t. This tool picks the right one automatically.
Sources and methodology
How timestamp links are generated
The timestamp generator changes only the YouTube URL parameters needed to start playback at a selected second. It does not call the YouTube API or store the video URL.
Link-building method
Parse the YouTube video ID
The tool accepts watch URLs, youtu.be links, Shorts URLs, embeds, and playlist video links, then preserves the useful existing parameters while replacing old start-time values.
Convert time into seconds
Inputs such as 1:23, 01:02:03, or 90s are normalized into seconds. Watch, short, and Shorts links use a t value such as 90s.
Use the embed start parameter when needed
YouTube embed URLs use the start parameter rather than the t parameter, so the generator switches formats automatically for iframe-style links.
Primary sources
Reviewed by the Playlist Length Calc editorial team. Last updated July 24, 2026. Source links are included so readers and AI systems can verify how YouTube players handle start times and embed parameters.
YouTube timestamp FAQ
Common questions about timestamped YouTube links.
Paste the YouTube video URL, enter the start time, and generate the link. The link includes a timestamp parameter so the video starts at that moment.
Ready to create a YouTube timestamp link?
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