Turn Transcript Timestamps Into YouTube Chapter Notes
Extract existing timestamps from your notes, edit the labels into useful chapter titles, and format an ascending list for the video description. SceneDub finds time references already in the text; it does not automatically detect topics in the recording.
By SceneDub · Published · Editorial methodology
Open Timestamp extractorSeparate transcript cues from chapter boundaries
A transcript may contain a timestamp every sentence. Chapters should mark useful sections, not reproduce every cue. Read the extracted labels, choose the points where the subject changes, and listen at each boundary. If you only have an audio file, transcription is a separate first step; topic selection and chapter naming still require your judgment.
Review the extracted list
The extractor accepts MM:SS and HH:MM:SS references, preserves source order, and removes exact duplicate time-and-text entries. Source order is not necessarily chronological order. Scan for time-like text that was not intended as a chapter, repeated labels, or end timestamps from subtitle cue ranges. The downloaded tab-separated text is an editing aid, not a validated platform upload.
Meet the destination's requirements
YouTube's chapter documentation requires the first timestamp to start at 00:00, at least three timestamps in ascending order, and chapters of at least 10 seconds. Verify the last chapter against the video duration too. A correct list does not establish ownership of the video or guarantee feature eligibility. Recheck the published video after adding the reviewed list to its description.
The workflow
- Extract existing timestamps and keep only meaningful topic changes.
- Write descriptive labels and arrange the selected times in order.
- Check the platform rules and preview the published chapters.
From recording notes to a timestamp list
Input / starting point
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Microphone setup
03:15 Recording a takeOutput / result
0:00 Introduction
1:30 Microphone setup
3:15 Recording a takeThe output is an editing aid. For YouTube chapters, verify a 00:00 start, at least three ascending timestamps, and chapters lasting at least 10 seconds.
