How to Link to a Specific Part in a YouTube Video

Right now, you’re probably trying to share a specific part of a YouTube video, but you’re stuck sending the whole thing.

It’s annoying when all you want is for someone to jump straight to the important part without wasting time.

That’s where timestamp links come in. They let you skip directly to the moment that matters—whether it’s a tutorial step, a funny clip, or an insightful point. No need for your friend or colleague to hunt through the video.

The best part? Creating these links is quick and easy.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to make timestamp links using YouTube’s built-in tools, manual methods, and even some advanced options.

By the end, you’ll have all the tools you need to share precise moments effortlessly. Let’s get started!

The easiest way: Use YouTube’s “Share” button

The simplest way to share a specific part of a YouTube video is by using the built-in “Share” button. It’s quick, straightforward, and doesn’t require editing any URLs or using extra tools.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Open the video you want to share. Pause it at the exact moment you want others to start watching.

• Click the “Share” button located below the video player. This opens a pop-up window with sharing options.

• Check the “Start at” box in the pop-up.
  • YouTube will automatically fill in the timestamp based on where you paused.
  • If the time isn’t correct, you can adjust it manually.

• Click “Copy” to get the link.

The copied link now includes the timestamp. For example, if your video link is https://youtu.be/example and you set it to start at 2 minutes and 30 seconds, the updated link will look like this:https://youtu.be/example?t=2m30s.

When someone clicks the link, the video will play right from that exact point. It’s fast, simple, and ideal for sharing specific moments without making others scroll or search.

Manually add timestamps to the YouTube URL

Want full control over where your video starts? You can add a timestamp to the link yourself. It’s easy, and you don’t need any special tools.

• Copy the video’s URL. You can get it from the address bar if you’re on a browser or tap “Share” > “Copy link” on the YouTube app.

• Add &t= to the end of the URL. This is where you’ll specify the exact time you want the video to start.
• Type the time in the format you need.
• Use XmYs for minutes and seconds (e.g., 2m30s for 2 minutes and 30 seconds).
• For hours, minutes, and seconds, use XhYmZs (e.g., 1h15m45s for 1 hour, 15 minutes, and 45 seconds).

Here are a few examples:

• To start at 30 seconds: https://youtu.be/example?t=30s
• To start at 2 minutes and 15 seconds: https://youtu.be/example?t=2m15s
• To start at 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 5 seconds: https://youtu.be/example?t=1h10m5s

If the original link has a question mark (?) in it (e.g., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example), use &t=. If there’s no question mark, add ?t= instead.

When someone clicks your customized link, they’ll skip directly to the moment you’ve set. It’s perfect for highlighting specific moments, especially when you’re sharing tutorials or presentations.

How to share specific parts using the YouTube mobile app

Sharing a specific part of a YouTube video from the mobile app takes a little extra effort. Unlike the desktop version, the app doesn’t have a built-in “Start at” option. But don’t worry—you can still do it manually!

Here’s what you need to do:

• Open the YouTube app and play the video you want to share. Pause the video at the exact moment you want others to start watching.
• Tap the “Share” button below the video. This opens up a menu with options to share the link.
• Select “Copy link” to save the video URL to your clipboard.

• Manually add a timestamp to the link.
  • Paste the copied link into a message, note, or browser address bar.
  • Add &t= to the end of the URL, followed by the time you want (e.g., 2m30s for 2 minutes and 30 seconds).

Let me help you with an example:

• Original link: https://youtu.be/example
• Updated link with timestamp: https://youtu.be/example?t=2m30s

Now, share the updated link. Anyone who clicks it will start watching the video at the exact moment you set.

If you’re on mobile but need the desktop functionality (like the “Start at” checkbox), open YouTube in your phone’s browser. Use the browser’s desktop mode to access the full site, and follow the steps for the desktop version.

It might take a few extra seconds, but adding timestamps manually ensures you can share the exact part of the video—even on mobile! It’s simple once you know how.

Embed videos with specific start times for websites

If you’re embedding a YouTube video on your website and want it to start at a specific moment, you can easily set the start time. This is perfect for blogs, tutorials, or any content where you want viewers to jump straight to the key part.

Here’s how to do it:

• Go to the YouTube video, click the “Share” button.

• Then select “Embed.”

• A box will appear with the embed code. Copy it.
• Find the video URL within the code. It will look like this: https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID
• Add ?start=SECONDS to the end of the URL. Replace SECONDS with the time you want the video to start.

Let me show you an example: To start at 2 minutes and 30 seconds, the URL becomes: https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID?start=150 (150 seconds = 2 minutes and 30 seconds).

You can use the updated embed code on your website. 

Here’s an example of the full embed code with a start time: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID?start=150" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Now, place the code in your website editor. Paste the embed code where you want the video to appear on your site.

When visitors play the embedded video, it will start exactly at the time you’ve set.

You can combine start= with other parameters like autoplay=1 to make the video start automatically from the specific moment.

It’s a powerful way to guide your audience directly to the most important part of the video. Plus, it saves them the hassle of finding it themselves!

Use YouTube Clips to highlight shorter sections

If you want to share a short, specific part of a video, YouTube’s Clips feature is a great option. It lets you create a snippet of up to one minute, perfect for highlighting key moments or sharing quick insights.

To use the Clips feature:

• Find the video you want to clip. Open the video on YouTube and look for the “Clip” button below the video (it looks like scissors).
• Click “Clip” and set the section.
• A small box will pop up. Enter a title for your clip, then use the slider to select the portion of the video you want to highlight.
• Remember, the clip can be anywhere from 5 seconds to 60 seconds.
• Preview and share your clip. Once you’ve set the clip, click “Share Clip.” You’ll get a unique URL that links directly to the snippet you created.

Use Clips to tease a longer video or share a highlight on social media. It’s an easy way to direct viewers to the best parts of your content!

While it’s not a solution for every situation, YouTube Clips are an excellent tool for quick and targeted sharing. Give it a try next time you need to highlight a key moment!

Organize timestamps in the video description

If your video is long or covers multiple topics, adding timestamps to the description can be a game-changer.

It helps viewers quickly jump to the sections they’re most interested in, making your content more user-friendly and engaging.

To create a clickable table of contents with timestamps:

1. Watch your video and note key sections. Break down your video into logical parts or topics, like chapters in a book. For example, if it’s a tutorial, note where each step starts.

2. Write the timestamps in the description.

• Start each line with the time in the format 00:00.
• Add a short, descriptive label after each timestamp to explain what that section covers.

Let me show you an example:

00:00 Introduction 01:45 Step 1: Setting up your account 05:30 Step 2: Customizing settings 10:00 FAQs and troubleshooting

3. Make the timestamps clickable. YouTube automatically turns correctly formatted timestamps into clickable links. Viewers can simply click on a timestamp to jump to that part of the video.

4. Test your links. Play your video and click each timestamp to ensure it jumps to the correct moment.

Include keywords in your section titles. This can further enhance your video’s visibility and appeal.

By organizing your content with a clear table of contents, you’re making your video easier to navigate and more enjoyable to watch. It’s a small effort with a big payoff!

Troubleshooting common problems with timestamp links

Sometimes, timestamp links don’t work as expected, and it can be frustrating. But don’t worry—most issues are easy to fix. Here’s how to troubleshoot common problems with timestamp links.

1. The link doesn’t start at the specified time

Check your format: Make sure the timestamp is added correctly. Use ?t= if it’s the first parameter in the URL or &t= if the URL already has other parameters.
Example:

• Correct: https://youtu.be/example?t=90 (starts at 1 minute 30 seconds).
• Incorrect: https://youtu.be/examplet90 (missing ? or &).

Verify the time: Double-check your calculation. For example, 1 minute 30 seconds should be 90 seconds, not 1:30.

2. The link doesn’t work on mobile devices

Some apps or browsers you know, don’t support timestamped links well. In these case, always open the link in a mobile browser instead of the YouTube app. Or, you can use a desktop to confirm the link works before sharing it.

3. The timestamp is ignored when embedding videos

When embedding, you must include the ?start= parameter in the URL.

Example: <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/example?start=90" frameborder="0"></iframe>.

Without this, the video will always play from the beginning.

4. The video plays from the start after sharing on social media

Some social media sites strip parameters from links. If this happens, you should share the full YouTube URL directly instead of shortening it. Also, you can use platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn, which usually retain timestamp details.

5. The timestamp links don’t work when combined with playlists

Add the timestamp using &t= after the video ID, not the playlist URL.

• Correct: https://youtu.be/example?list=PLxyz&t=90.
• Incorrect: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxyz&t=90.

Pro tip: Always test your links before sharing them. Open the link in a browser or app to ensure it starts at the intended moment.

By addressing these common problems and following the fixes, you’ll ensure your timestamp links work flawlessly across platforms. No more confusion or wasted time for your audience!

The takeaway

Timestamp links are more than just a neat trick—they’re a powerful tool for sharing videos effectively. They save time, improve clarity, and help viewers focus on the most important parts of your content.

Whether you’re highlighting a tutorial step, sharing a funny clip, or pointing someone to a key moment in a presentation, timestamp links let you guide your audience straight to what matters most. No more scrubbing through videos or leaving people guessing where to look.

With easy methods like YouTube’s “Share” button, manual edits to URLs, or embedding start times, you now have everything you need to make your links precise and user-friendly.

Tools like Clips and timestamped video descriptions take it even further, helping your audience navigate and engage with your content seamlessly.

So, why wait? Start using these methods today and see how much more effective your video shares become.

Timestamp links aren’t just helpful—they’re a game-changer for content creators and everyday users alike. Try them out and make your content stand out!