YouTube Timecode Converter
Convert between timecodes and seconds instantly. Enter hours, minutes, and seconds to get a total, or paste a number of seconds to get a formatted timestamp. Free, no account needed.
Enter Timecode
Quick conversions
How this is calculated
The formula multiplies hours by 3600, minutes by 60, then adds the seconds value. For example, 1:23:45 equals 1 × 3600 + 23 × 60 + 45 = 5025 seconds.
Process
How it works
Pick a direction
Choose Time → Seconds to convert a timestamp into total seconds, or Seconds → Time to convert a number into a formatted timecode.
Enter your value
Type the hours, minutes, and seconds — or paste a total seconds value. The conversion happens instantly as you type.
Get the result
See the converted value immediately, along with alternative formats and a human-readable duration breakdown.
Copy and use
Click the copy button to copy the result to your clipboard and paste it wherever you need it.
The basics
What Is a YouTube Timecode?
A YouTube timecode is a formatted timestamp — written as HH:MM:SS, or just MM:SS for anything under an hour — that marks a specific point inside a video. YouTube uses this format in chapter markers, comments, and community posts, all of which become clickable and jump a viewer straight to that moment.
It's easy to mix up a timecode with a duration. A timecode marks a moment in the video — 3:45 means "three minutes and forty-five seconds into the video." A duration measures a length of time — 3:45 as a duration means "three minutes and forty-five seconds long." The numbers look identical; the meaning depends on context.
Why this converter matters
Anywhere you need to reason about a video's timing in raw seconds — editing software, spreadsheets, scripts, analytics — you need to convert between that HH:MM:SS format and total seconds. This tool does both directions instantly.
Use cases
What Can You Do With a Timecode Converter?
Whether you're adding chapters to your videos, editing content, or working with subtitle files, converting between timecodes and seconds is essential.
YouTube Chapters
Calculate exact timestamps for chapter markers in your video description. YouTube requires the first chapter to start at 0:00.
Video Editing
Convert between timecodes and total seconds when working with editing software, subtitle files, or timestamp-based workflows.
Duration Calculation
Find the total duration of a video segment in seconds for analytics, reporting, or comparison purposes.
Comment Timestamps
Convert a specific moment to a timestamp you can share in YouTube comments to link directly to that point in the video.
For creators
YouTube Chapters: Format & Rules
Chapters break a video into named, jump-to sections shown as a scrubbable list under the player. YouTube builds them automatically from timestamps you add to the video description — but only if they follow a strict format. Miss one of these rules and YouTube shows plain text instead of chapters.
Start at 0:00
The first chapter must begin at 0:00 — YouTube won't recognize chapters that start any later.
At least 3 timestamps
YouTube requires a minimum of three timestamps before it will turn a list into clickable chapters.
10 seconds minimum
Each chapter must be at least 10 seconds long, so timestamps need to be spaced out accordingly.
Ascending order
Timestamps must be listed in chronological order — each one later than the one before it.
One per line
List each timestamp and title on its own line in the description, e.g. "0:00 Intro".
Common mistakes
- • Starting the first chapter after 0:00 instead of exactly at it
- • Placing two timestamps less than 10 seconds apart
- • Listing timestamps out of chronological order
Know the difference
Timecode Formats You'll Encounter
Not every timecode you run into works the same way. Here's how YouTube's format compares to what you'll see in subtitle files and editing software:
YouTube timecode
1:23:45
Clock time used in video timestamps, chapters, and comments. This is the format this converter works with.
Subtitle timecode (SRT/VTT)
01:23:45,000
Subtitle files add milliseconds and use a comma or period separator — not directly interchangeable with YouTube's format.
Editing timecode (SMPTE)
01:23:45:12
Video editors work in frames, not seconds. The last pair of digits is a frame number, and what it means depends on the project's frame rate.
Reference
Timecode Reference Tables
Quick reference for common conversions. Click any row to load it into the calculator above.
Time → Seconds
| Timecode | Seconds | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 0:30 | 30 | 30s |
| 1:00 | 60 | 1m 0s |
| 5:00 | 300 | 5m 0s |
| 10:00 | 600 | 10m 0s |
| 15:00 | 900 | 15m 0s |
| 30:00 | 1,800 | 30m 0s |
| 1:00:00 | 3,600 | 1h 0m 0s |
| 1:30:00 | 5,400 | 1h 30m 0s |
| 2:00:00 | 7,200 | 2h 0m 0s |
Common Durations (Seconds → Time)
| Seconds | Timecode | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | 00:01:30 | 1m 30s |
| 300 | 00:05:00 | 5m 0s |
| 600 | 00:10:00 | 10m 0s |
| 900 | 00:15:00 | 15m 0s |
| 1,800 | 00:30:00 | 30m 0s |
| 2,700 | 00:45:00 | 45m 0s |
| 3,600 | 01:00:00 | 1h 0m 0s |
| 5,400 | 01:30:00 | 1h 30m 0s |
| 7,200 | 02:00:00 | 2h 0m 0s |
| 10,800 | 03:00:00 | 3h 0m 0s |
Why this tool
Why Use Our YouTube Timecode Converter?
Instant Conversion
Results update live as you type — no buttons to click, no page reloads. See the answer the moment you enter your values.
Two-Way Converter
Convert time to seconds or seconds to time with a single tab switch. Both directions are always one click away.
Multiple Formats
See your result as HH:MM:SS, total seconds, and a human-readable duration like 1h 23m 45s — all at once.
One-Click Copy
Copy any result to your clipboard instantly with a single click. Paste it into descriptions, comments, or editing software.
Quick Presets
Jump to common timestamps like 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1 hour with a single click.
100% Free
No account, no paywall, no limits. Convert as many timecodes as you need, anytime.
Frequently asked questions
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Convert timecodes instantly
Switch between time and seconds with a single click. Free, no account needed — just type and copy.