How to Start a YouTube Video at a Specific Time?

Ever wanted to share a specific part of a YouTube video maybe that funny scene, that perfect tutorial step, or a song drop without making someone sit through the whole thing? Good news: YouTube makes it super easy to start a video at any time you want.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to start a YouTube video at a specific time, step by step. Whether you’re watching on desktop, mobile, or embedding videos on your website, I’ll walk you through every method (with examples).

What Does “Start YouTube Video at Specific Time” Mean?

When you start a YouTube video at a specific time, you’re telling YouTube to jump straight to a certain timestamp skipping everything before that.

Example: Let’s say there’s a 10-minute tutorial, but the actual tip starts at 2 minutes and 34 seconds. Instead of sharing the full link like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234

You can share it like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234&t=154s

Now, when someone opens it, YouTube jumps right to 2:34 (because 2 minutes and 34 seconds = 154 seconds).

Why Start a YouTube Video at a Specific Time?

Here are some common reasons creators and viewers use this trick:

• Skip the fluff: Jump directly to the action or main point.
• Highlight a moment: Share a funny or emotional scene without the full video.
• Tutorial shortcuts: Guide viewers right to the relevant step.
• Save time: Viewers appreciate getting straight to what matters.
• Professional sharing: Bloggers, marketers, and teachers can link to specific segments in presentations or blogs.

If you use YouTube regularly, this is one of those simple but powerful time-saving hacks.

Method 1: Start a YouTube Video at a Specific Time on Desktop

This is the easiest and most accurate method especially if you’re sharing links.

Step-by-Step:

1. Go to YouTube and play the video you want to share.
2. Pause it at the exact moment you want to start.
3. Right-click on the video.
4. Select “Copy video URL at current time.”

That’s it. YouTube will automatically generate a link like this:

https://youtu.be/abcd1234?t=95

When anyone opens this link, the video will start at 1:35 (because 95 seconds = 1 minute 35 seconds).

Alternate Method:

If you want to manually set the time:

1. Copy the video link normally.
2. Add ?t=XXs at the end of the URL (where XX = seconds).
   Example: https://youtu.be/abcd1234?t=210s
   → Starts at 3 minutes 30 seconds.

Tip: If your URL already has a “?” in it, add &t=XXs instead of another “?”.

Method 2: Start a YouTube Video at a Specific Time on Mobile (Android & iPhone)

Unfortunately, the “Copy video URL at current time” option doesn’t appear on the mobile YouTube app. But you can still do it manually and it’s simple.

Here’s how:

1. Open the YouTube app and play the video.
2. Note the exact time you want the video to start.
3. Tap Share → Copy link.
4. Paste that link into your notes or chat.
5. Now, manually add ?t=XXs at the end.

Example: You want to start at 4 minutes 20 seconds (4×60 + 20 = 260 seconds).

https://youtu.be/abcd1234?t=260

Share that link anywhere it works perfectly.

Bonus: Share from YouTube Mobile Browser

If you use YouTube in Chrome or Safari (mobile browser) instead of the app, you can switch to Desktop Site mode, then right-click (long press) and follow the same steps as the desktop method.

Method 3: Use the “Share” Option with Timestamp (Built-in YouTube Feature)

YouTube has made this even easier if you’re on a desktop. Here’s the modern, built-in way:

1. Open a video and pause it where you want it to start.
2. Click Share (below the video).
3. In the share popup, you’ll see an option: Start at [timestamp]
4. Check that box, and YouTube will automatically add ?t=XXs to the link.
5. Click Copy, and you’re good to go.

You can then share that link on WhatsApp, Facebook, email, or embed it on your blog.

Method 4: Embed a YouTube Video Starting at a Specific Time

If you’re a blogger, developer, or WordPress user, embedding a video that starts at a specific timestamp is a great way to guide visitors directly to a key moment.

Here’s how:

1. On YouTube, click Share → Embed.
2. Copy the embed code.
3. Add the following parameters to the video URL inside the code: ?start=75

This will make the video start at 1:15.

Example Embed Code:

You can even combine options:

To autoplay and start at a time, use: ?start=75&autoplay=1

This is especially useful for tutorial blogs or product demo posts. If you use WordPress (like I do for my blogs on Photoshop Shortcuts or YouTube Keyboard Shortcuts), just paste the embed code in the “Custom HTML” block.

Method 5: Start YouTube Video at Specific Time in a Playlist

If you’re sharing a playlist, you can still make it start from a specific timestamp in a specific video. Here’s how the format works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234&list=PLxyz123&t=60s

This tells YouTube:

• Which video to start with (v=abcd1234)
• Which playlist it belongs to (list=PLxyz123)
• And when to start (t=60s)

Perfect for curated tutorials or music playlists where timing matters.

Method 6: Start a YouTube Video at a Specific Time in Comments or Descriptions

You can also use timestamps inside video descriptions or comments and YouTube automatically turns them into clickable links. Example:

Type this in a comment or video description:

2:35 – How to Add Background Music
4:20 – Adjusting Audio Volume
7:10 – Export Settings

YouTube automatically hyperlinks those timestamps. Clicking any will jump to that moment in the same video. This is awesome for long-form tutorials, walkthroughs, or multi-part videos.

Method 7: Use a URL Builder Tool (Optional)

If you don’t like calculating seconds manually, use a YouTube Timestamp Generator.

Websites like:

• ytimestamp.com
• tools-unite.com/youtube-timestamp
• yt2links.com

Let you:

1. Paste your YouTube URL.
2. Enter the start time (e.g., 1 min 25 sec).
3. Instantly get a shareable link.

These are great for creators who share a lot of timed clips.

Understanding YouTube URL Parameters (For the Curious Ones)

If you love the technical stuff, here’s how YouTube’s URL system works behind the scenes:

So if you wanted to autoplay, mute, and start at 2:00, you’d use:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/abcd1234?start=120&autoplay=1&mute=1

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even though this process is easy, a few small details can mess up the link.

1. Mixing “?” and “&” Wrong

If your URL already has a question mark (?), use & for the next parameter.

Correct: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234&t=120s

Wrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234?&t=120s

2. Forgetting to Convert Minutes to Seconds

If you use t=2:30, it won’t work. You must write it as seconds only (t=150s).

3. Copying Mobile App Links

Sometimes mobile app links use the format https://youtube.com/shorts/.
If that’s the case, switch it to https://youtu.be/ for easier timestamp use.

4. Using Private or Age-Restricted Videos

Timestamps won’t bypass YouTube’s privacy filters the person must still have access to the video.

Final Thoughts

Starting a YouTube video at a specific time isn’t just a neat trick it’s a massive time-saver and makes your shared content look clean and professional.

Whether you’re linking tutorials, highlighting moments, or embedding videos in blogs, just remember this formula:

?t=XXs (for links)
?start=XX (for embeds)

Now you can direct anyone exactly where you want them to start no more “skip to 2:15” in your messages.

So go ahead, copy your favorite YouTube moment, add a timestamp, and share it like a pro.
Simple, quick, and ridiculously effective.

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