YouTube Description Counter

Count your description against YouTube's 5,000-character limit, preview the first lines viewers see and check timestamps against YouTube's chapter rules.

Video description

0 / 5,000Characters

0Lines

0Links

0 / 60Hashtags

Chapter check

No timestamps found.

First lines preview (approximate)

How to use the YouTube Description Counter

Paste your description.
Check characters, lines, links and hashtags.
If you added timestamps, read the chapter check.
Fix any problems, then copy the description.

Features and benefits

Counts characters (limit 5,000), lines, links and hashtags.
Warns when hashtags are over 60, because YouTube then ignores all of them.
Chapter check against YouTube's rules, marking the timestamp that breaks a rule.
Preview of the first three lines.

Examples

A chapter that is too short

Input: 0:00 Intro / 1:15 Setup / 1:20 Results
Result: Chapters will not show: "Setup" is only 5 seconds long, and each chapter must be at least 10 seconds.

Valid chapters

Input: 0:00 Intro / 1:15 Setup / 3:40 Results
Result: Chapter rules met: 3 chapters.

Limits and restrictions

YouTube's help center states a 5,000-character description limit.
Chapter rules from YouTube: the first timestamp must be 00:00, there must be at least three in ascending order, and each chapter must be at least 10 seconds.
If a video has more than 60 hashtags, YouTube ignores all of them.
The first-lines preview is approximate and differs by device.

Tips and best practices

Put the most important line and link at the top.
List chapters one per line, starting with 0:00.
Keep hashtags to a few relevant ones; YouTube may show up to three near the title.
Re-check chapters after editing the video length.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my chapters not showing?

The usual causes are a first timestamp that is not 0:00, fewer than three timestamps or a chapter shorter than 10 seconds. The chapter check shows which rule fails.

Do links count toward the limit?

Yes. Every character counts, including links and line breaks.

Where do hashtags show?

YouTube may show up to three hashtags from the description near the title.

Can timestamps include hours?

Yes. Use the format 1:05:00 for timestamps after the first hour.

Does the tool upload my description?

No. Everything is checked in your browser.

Do chapter titles need a dash?

No. "0:00 Intro" and "0:00 - Intro" both work in this checker.

Related tools

Sources

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