Sharing a specific moment from a YouTube video It's wonderful when you just want to show "that moment" without forcing anyone to rewind or search the progress bar by eye. Whether it's a gag, a guitar riff, or the decisive move: linking directly to the exact second saves time and avoids confusion.
In this complete guide you will find all the reliable ways to do it.: from the computer with the official options, from the mobile (app and browser), forcing the desktop version in Chrome and Safari, editing the URL by hand, creating links that start and end in an exact range, using online tools that automate it, taking advantage of chapters with YouTube Studio and sharing on WhatsApp or Instagram stories with caution and respecting copyright.
From the computer: official options and time parameters
The fastest way on PC is to use the Share button with the “Start in” checkboxOpen the video on YouTube, play it to the desired point, and pause it. Click "Share" (below the player) and select the "Start at" box. Enter the exact minute and second, and you'll see the link automatically update with the start time.
You can also do it with a right click.: Pause exactly where you want and right-click the video to choose “Copy video URL from current minute.” YouTube will copy a time-coded link to your clipboard, ready to paste into a chat, email, or social network.
If you prefer to edit by hand, the trick is in the t parameter. YouTube supports two formats: total seconds or minutes and seconds. For example, adding &t=75 will make the video start at second 75, and &t=1m15s equals 1 minute and 15 seconds. Depending on whether the URL already has parameters, you can use ?t= (if there is none) or &t= (if another one already exists).
Note the ampersand (&) and the link structure.: if the video is in standard format https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID and there are no more parameters, ?t= It works; if it starts from a share link that already has parameters, it is concatenated with &t=A real example you can try is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PyrgGTFp0E&t=2m53s, which starts at exactly 2 minutes and 53 seconds.
Practical tip: YouTube understands hours if necessary, so you can use 8h10s o 1h02m05sJust don't set the time limit beyond the actual length of the video; if you do, the skip won't work.
From mobile: YouTube app, browser, and desktop versions
With the official YouTube app you can share and add time manually.. Play the video on your phone, pause at the key point, tap "Share" and "Copy Link." When pasting it into the chat or app where you're sending it, add the time parameter yourself: for example, &t=80 o &t=1m20s.
Please note a common limitation in the app.: It doesn’t show the “Start at” checkbox or the “copy URL from current minute” context menu, so adding it manually is usually the standard method when sharing from mobile without any extra tricks.
If you want the full experience on your phone, force the desktop version.Open Google Chrome on your mobile device, go to YouTube, play, and pause at the desired point. Tap the three dots in the browser and select "Request desktop site." Then tap "Share" below the video and select "Start on" to copy the preset link.
On iPhone or iPad you can achieve the same thing with Safari: Go to Settings > Safari, turn on Request Desktop Version (for all sites), and load YouTube. You'll be able to use the same flow as on your computer, with the "Start in" checkbox available to generate the exact link without manually editing it.
Quick summary on mobile:app = copy link and add &t= by hand; desktop browser = "Start in" checkbox as on a PC. These are both equally valid routes; choose the most convenient one depending on the situation.
Manual link editing: seconds, minutes, hours, and useful examples
If you like fine control, modifying the URL by hand is a piece of cake.. Place the cursor at the end of the link and type &t= followed by the desired time. Practical examples: &t=10s for 10 seconds, &t=115 for 1:55 converted to 115 seconds, and &t=2m05s for 2 minutes and 5 seconds.
This same scheme allows hours, in case you share live broadcasts or long conferences: &t=1h12m11s will jump to 1 hour, 12 minutes, and 11 seconds. If there are other parameters in the URL, remember to keep the order with & so as not to break the link.
Check that time exists in the video: If the content is 10 minutes long and you put something like ?t=11m10s, nothing will happen. Make sure you convert minutes to seconds correctly when using pure numerical notation.
Real reference example: starting from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMsPsoIrr-E, Add &t=10s leave the link as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMsPsoIrr-E&t=10s, which starts exactly at 10 seconds.
Share only a fragment: link with start and end
In addition to setting the start, you can also define the end. to send only a specific part of the video. To do this, transform the link from watch?v= a embed/ and add start and end parameters in seconds: ?start=X&end=Y.
Examples of use that you can try: https://www.youtube.com/embed/YIn9j0WaamM?start=61&end=66 It starts at second 61 and stops at second 66; notation with minutes and seconds is also supported in some contexts, such as ?start=1m1s&end=1m5s.
When is it a good idea to use the embed format? It's ideal for embedding on a website or sharing a playable link that respects a time range; be careful, some platforms integrate the embedded player, while others will open the YouTube page, but the time range is usually respected in the player.
If you want something 100% automaticBelow you'll see online tools that generate these links with a start and end date without you having to calculate anything by hand.
Online tools that generate the URL for you
Youtubetime (youtubetime.com) Simplifies the creation of links that start at a specific time. Paste the video URL, specify the minute and second, and click "Get Link." You can validate with "Preview" and copy the final URL to send via WhatsApp, email, or any app of your choice.
YouTube Time Sharing (youtubestartend.com) It does the same thing, but with a start and end option. Enter the link in "YouTube link," fill in the "Start Time" and "End Time" options with the desired times, and tap "Submit." You'll see a "Copy Link to Share/Embed" field from which you can directly copy the final link.
YouTube Embed This is another option if you also want to customize the embedded player. You paste the video URL, adjust parameters, and, very importantly, set the start and end times converted to seconds. When you're done, copy the generated embed code to use on your website or project.
When to use these websites? They're useful for those unfamiliar with parameters or when YouTube temporarily doesn't display the "Start in" box. They're still a good backup plan, even though YouTube has improved its native options.
Chapters and timestamps with YouTube Studio
If you're a creator, chapters make it easy to quickly jump to key sections.. From YouTube Studio, go to Content, choose a video, and add a branding list beginning with 00:00 with titles for each section, so the viewer can go directly to each chapter.
You can activate “Allow automatic markings” Click Show More to have YouTube try to generate chapters automatically. This is useful if your videos follow a repeating structure, such as intros or fixed sections.
Sharing a moment by leveraging existing brands It's even simpler: If you see a timestamp in the description or comments, right-click on it and choose "Copy link address." That link already contains the jump to that specific time.
WhatsApp and Instagram: Sharing accurately (and respecting rights)
Sending an exact moment via WhatsApp is immediateOn desktop, use “Share” + “Start on” to copy the link over time; on mobile, add &t= manually after "Copy link" in the app. Paste the link into the chat or upload it to "My Status." Sometimes the thumbnail takes a while or doesn't generate at all, but the start time at the second marked is respected when opened.
You can also directly paste the link with time in WhatsApp Web, ideal if you're already on your PC. If you paste before WhatsApp loads the preview, the video card may not be displayed, but playback will still skip to the specified point.
For Instagram stories the process is different: Instagram doesn't play YouTube links as stories, so if you want that snippet as a story, you'll have to download the video, trim it, and upload it. Tools like ClipConverter o Zamzar converted to MP4, and then you can edit it with iMovie, Videoshop or the Instagram editor to fit the length of the story.
Important about legalitySharing the YouTube link is fine, but re-uploading the downloaded video on your social media without the author's permission may infringe copyright. Ask for permission when it's not your own content and avoid copyright issues.
Shortcuts, best practices and real-life cases
Context shortcut on PC: Pause at the exact second, right-click, and “Copy video URL from current minute.” This is the fastest way to avoid thinking about parameters.
Mental conversion of minutes to seconds: 1:55 becomes 115 seconds (60 + 55). In that case, ?t=115 it works the same as &t=1m55s. Use the one you are most comfortable with.
Famous example: For the Avengers: Infinity War trailer, if the picaresque part is at 02:53, the link would be like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PyrgGTFp0E&t=2m53s. When you open it, the video will jump right to that mark.
If you work with long fragments, consider the format embed start y end so that the player respects both the beginning and the end. It will be crystal clear to the person receiving it which part to look at.
When you search by duration: Pickalen extension
Pickalen for Chrome allows you to filter videos by duration in YouTubeAfter installing it, it's activated upon entering the platform and shows you options for choosing time ranges. This is useful if you need to find content that fits within a specific time window before sharing.
Privacy & Security: The extension is focused on filtering results and not tracking your activity, so it is safe to use in this context.
Short checklist of common mistakes
Confusing ?t= and &t=: if the URL has no parameters, it starts with ?t=; if you already have one (for example, ?si=...), add the time with &t=.
Using a time that exceeds the duration: This won't work. Check the video's length or use existing timestamps in the description/comments to copy a valid link.
Forgetting to pause before copyingIf you don't pause exactly where you should, right-clicking can copy the wrong time. Pause, check the mark, and then copy.
Assuming that the mobile app “can’t”The app doesn't show the checkbox, but you can add the time manually. And with the browser in desktop mode, you'll have the same checkbox as on a PC.
The key is to master two or three routes and use them with ease.: “Share” button + “Start on” when you are on PC or mobile with desktop version, add &t= by hand when sharing from the app, and pull links embed start/end or tools like YouTube Time and YouTube Time Sharing when you need snippets with a beginning and end. These methods cover all scenarios, from a simple 10-second jump to precise cuts to send via WhatsApp or embed on your website.