How to Link to a YouTube Timestamp
A YouTube timestamp link opens the video at a chosen moment. You create it with Share and Start at, or by copying the URL at the current time. The transcript is the fastest way to find that sentence first.
Direct answer: pause on the moment, click Share, check Start at, and copy the link. On a computer you can also right-click the video and copy the URL at the current time. Open the transcript when you need to find the line before you share it.
Key facts
- The shared link includes a start time. It does not download the video file.
- On youtube.com, Share and then Start at is the documented way to link to a moment.
- On a computer, right-click the player and copy the video URL at the current time.
- A transcript line lands you on a sentence. Copy the share link after you arrive there.
- Replay the moment before you share a quote. Automatic captions can mishear words.
- Youtube To Transcript reads available captions on a computer watch page. It does not create the share link.
Copy a link that starts at the right moment
- Open the watch page.
- Play to the moment, or open Show transcript and select the line.
- Replay that timestamp and confirm the words.
- Click Share under the video.
- Check Start at and confirm the time shown.
- Copy the link, and send the video title with it.
Finding the line is covered in how to search a transcript. Quoting it is covered in how to cite a video with a timestamp.
Choose the link you actually need
| Goal | Do this | Skip this |
|---|---|---|
| Open at a moment | Share and Start at | A link with no start time |
| Find the sentence first | Show transcript, then share | Guessing along the timeline |
| Quote the line | Replay, then copy the link | An unchecked caption line |
| Send a section | Title, URL, and start time | The video file |
Chapters jump to a labeled section, not to one sentence. That difference is in chapters versus the transcript.
How Youtube To Transcript fits
Youtube To Transcript keeps available captions beside the player on supported Chrome watch pages, with search, timestamps, and copy controls. Use a timestamp to reach the line, check the audio, then copy YouTube's share link from that moment.
The extension cannot build a link when you have not found the moment, and it cannot invent a transcript when no caption track exists. Review the how-to guide and privacy policy before installing.
Related guides
- Show the transcript on YouTube
- Cite a video with a timestamp
- Chapters versus the transcript
- Find a moment in the transcript
Frequently asked questions
How do I link to a specific time in a YouTube video?
On youtube.com, click Share, check Start at, confirm the time, and copy the link. On a computer you can also right-click the video and copy the URL at the current time.
Does a timestamp link download the video?
No. The link opens the same YouTube video at a start time. The video file stays on YouTube.
How do I find the right moment before I copy the link?
Open Show transcript when captions exist, select the line, and replay it. Then use Share and Start at from that moment.
Can I share a timestamp from the YouTube app?
Use Share and look for a start-time option. If the app does not show one, open the same video in a browser and use Start at.
What if there is no transcript?
The video has no caption track, so there is no line list to search. You can still scrub to a moment and copy a Start at link.