
Like a great novel, did you know that the best online videos are also broken down by chapters?
From YouTube to Vimeo, adding chapters to your videos can be a great way to give your videos more structure, as well as provide points for viewers to quickly navigate back to sections most important to them.
But how do these chapters actually work for these online video formats? And how can you add them to your YouTube and Vimeo videos yourself?
Let’s explore everything you need to know about adding chapters to your content.
What are YouTube chapters?
YouTube chapters, also simply called “video chapters” by YouTube, are markers which you can add to your YouTube videos which add information and allow users to easily rewatch different parts of the videos.
How to add chapters to YouTube videos in 5 steps
Adding chapters to your YouTube videos is a fairly easy process. Here are the steps that you’ll need to follow.
(1) First, sign in to YouTube Studio.
(2) Select the "Content" tab.

(3) Click on the video that you’d like to edit.

(4) In the “Description” box, add a list of timestamps and titles. (It’s also important to keep in mind that the first timestamp should start at “00:00” and that videos should have at least three timestamps with chapters of at least 10 seconds.)
(5) Click "Save," and you’re done!
What about YouTube’s automatic chaptering?
Rolled out in 2021, YouTube has been experimenting with automatic chaptering features which may prove to be a helpful way for creators to add chapters to their videos. However, this feature is only available to select YouTube users at this point.
What are Vimeo chapters?
Available to Vimeo Pro members and higher, you can also add chapters to your Vimeo videos as well. Chapters are great for long-form content like training sessions, lessons, recitals or anything else and will appear during playback on all embedded and showcase videos.
You’ll also be able to see which chapters get the highest engagement and track your engagement rates chapter by chapter.
How to add chapters to Vimeo videos in 5 steps
Adding chapters to your Vimeo videos is a simple process as well. Here are the steps that you’ll need to follow:
(1) Head to the Interaction tools tab of your video’s settings.
(2) Under the Chapters section click “+ New”.
(3) Enter a title and timestamp for when and where you want your new chapter to be placed.
(4) Add as many chapters to your video as you’d like.
(5) Click “Save,” and you’re done!
Keep in mind that, unlike YouTube, you can add up to one chapter per second of your video, and you can also edit and remove chapters whenever you want. Pretty sweet, huh?
What are digital audio workstations (DAWs)?
For anyone coming from the world of sound (or music) recording, a DAW (digital audio workstation) should be a familiar term. However, for those of us hailing from a video-centric world, don’t let the term intimidate you. DAWs are simply editing software dedicated to working with audio and sound files.
These DAWs run a wide gamut of app and software types which range from the super high-end which are used by world class musicians and recording studios, to more prosumer options meant for smartphones and laptops and casual recording and editing.
When looking for the right DAW (or simply for the right audio editing software) for you, it really comes down to your skills and needs. Here are some of the best options which any video editor looking for sound help might want to consider.
Pros and cons of 5 popular sound editing software
Audacity
Let’s start with one of the most famous and iconic names in sound editing: Audacity. Originally released way back in the early days of the internet (read: the early 2000s), Audacity is a completely free and open-source based digital audio editing software.
It’s an extremely easy-to-use program that should help you learn some of the basics, however it does leave more advanced users wanting for more functions and controls. However, as a free legacy software, you should absolutely consider at least downloading it and checking out when first starting off.
Audacity features:
Pros:
- Easy-to-use
- Available on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Free
Cons:
- A bit archaic design
- Not many effects
- No advanced features
GarageBand
For anyone who’s ever owned a Mac computer or laptop before, GarageBand is everyone’s favorite digital audio station that can serve as a great introducer to the world of sound recording and editing.
And while there may be some software which are more sophisticated, GarageBand is about as intuitive and fun-to-use as it gets with a straightforward design that lets users get creative as well as technical.
GarageBand features:
Pros:
- Fun and intuitive design
- Great for recording audio
- Free for Mac users
Cons:
- Design is meant for beginners to intermediates
- More music focused than film or video
- Not as many advanced features or effects
Avid Pro Tools
A mainstay in both the video and audio industries, Avid represents some of the best and most sophisticated technology for professionals of each. While Avid’s Media Composer might be a favorite of industry video editors, its Pro Tools is hands down one of the best digital audio workstations (DAWs) on the market.
However, if you’re new to audio editing, Pro Tools represents a pretty steep learning curve so should really only be used by more experienced and advanced sound editors.
Avid Pro Tools features:
Pros:
- Industry-standard tools and design
- A huge array of options and effects
- Great for professionals looking to work with other Avid products
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for beginners or intermediates
- Need a good deal of processing power
- One of the more expensive options
Adobe Audition
Another popular DAW audio editing software for video and audio professionals, Adobe Audition is a great option for any video folks who already subscribe to Adobe’s Creative Cloud and use video editing apps like Premiere Pro and After Effects.
Audition is a solid choice on its own as well as it provides enough sophistication for advanced sound editors along with a simple-to-learn design that isn’t too intimidating to those just starting out. (Plus if you do use Premiere Pro, you can quickly switch between the two to really get the best of both worlds for your video projects.)
Adobe Audition features:
Pros:
- Easy-to-learn
- Solid amount of controls and effects
- Great for working with Adobe Premiere Pro
Cons:
- A bit of a learning curve
- Not as powerful or sophisticated as some other DAWs
- Maybe not preferred for non-Adobe users
Logic Pro
For Mac-users who might be ready to take a step up from GarageBand, Apple’s Logic Pro is one of the best DAWs on the market and an awesome sound editing software for video and sound professionals. Like GarageBand though, it is a bit more music-focused than audio for film and video perhaps, but it certainly has all the bells and whistles which you might need.
That being said, it’s still maybe not the best app for beginners due to its sophistication, and it still trails behind Pro Tools in terms of industry use and support. However, if you’re a Mac user who uses Final Cut Pro who wants more audio controls, Logic Pro could be the perfect option.
Logic Pro features:
Pros:
- Relatively easy-to-learn
- Plenty of effects and controls
- Great for Mac users
Cons:
- More music-based than film/video
- Still a bit of a learning curve
- Not great for non Mac-users
Making your decision
Hopefully these options should give you at least a good understanding of the modern state of DAWs and audio editing platforms currently on the market. Remember, these options are meant for a wide variety of skill types, so if you’re just starting off you don’t always need to invest in the highest-end offering.
However, if you are serious about getting the best audio and sound into your film and video projects, it’s important to take the craft seriously and use one of the right tools for the job. So, check a few of these options out and see which one is right for you.
Broaden your video editing know how
Try out features like the trimming tool, video merger, compression utility, and GIF maker.

(2) Under the Chapters section click “+ New”.
(3) Enter a title and timestamp for when and where you want your new chapter to be placed.

(4) Add as many chapters to your video as you’d like.
(5) Click "Save," and you’re done!
Keep in mind that, unlike YouTube, you can add up to one chapter per second of your video, and you can also edit and remove chapters whenever you want. Pretty sweet, huh?
How do I know if chapters are right for my video?
Now that we’ve covered how to add chapters to your videos, let’s go over some reasons why you might need these markers for your content.
The biggest reason many creators use chapters is to break up long form content into much more manageable sections. This is the ideal approach for uploading longer lectures, demonstrations, recitals, sports events, etc…
This not only helps you keep your content organized for yourself, but also so that your audience can quickly find sections with information relevant to them. The chapters are great too as they can easily revisit sections time and time again — giving you more views and exposure.
Overall, chapters can be a quick and easy way to help make your longform videos feel punchier, shorter, and more accessible (not unlike other video edits like trimming, cropping, or merging your videos). All great reasons why you should experiment with these functions for your videos new and old.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add chapters to my video on YouTube?
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- Select the Content tab.
- Click on the video that you’d like to edit.
- In the “Description” box, add a list of timestamps and titles.
- Click Save — and you’re done!
How do I add chapters to video on Vimeo?
- Head to the Interaction tools tab of your video’s settings.
- Under the Chapters section click “+ New”.
- Enter a title and timestamp for when and where you want your new chapter to be placed.
- Add as many chapters to your video as you’d like.
- Click Save — and you’re done!
Why aren’t my YouTube chapters working?
Try deleting all of your chapters and restarting the process from the beginning in YouTube Studio.