If you've ever watched a 2-hour lecture, 90-minute podcast, or marathon coding tutorial on YouTube, you know the frustration: you find a crucial moment worth revisiting, but YouTube only lets you save one timestamp per video.
That's where a YouTube timestamp extension becomes essential. This guide explains what YouTube timestamp bookmarks are, why you need them, and how to choose the best extension for saving multiple timestamps in any video.
What Is a YouTube Timestamp Extension?
A YouTube timestamp bookmarks extension is a browser add-on that lets you save multiple specific moments (timestamps) within any YouTube video, each with custom labels.
Think of it like bookmarking pages in a textbook—but for video content.
What You Can Do With Timestamp Bookmarks
- Save unlimited timestamps in a single video (lectures, tutorials, podcasts)
- Add custom labels to each bookmark so you remember why you saved it
- Jump instantly to any saved moment without scrubbing through the timeline
- Export/import your bookmarks to back them up or share with others
- Organize by video with automatic thumbnail previews and titles
Why You Need a YouTube Timestamp Saver
YouTube's native features are limited:
- No native bookmarking - YouTube doesn't let you save multiple timestamps per video
- "Save to playlist" isn't enough - Playlists save entire videos, not specific moments
- Comments are unreliable - Posting timestamps in comments works once, but you can't organize or search them later
- Browser bookmarks are clunky - You'd need separate bookmarks for each timestamp, cluttering your browser
A dedicated YouTube timestamp extension solves all these problems by giving you a purpose-built tool for marking and organizing important moments.
Who Needs YouTube Timestamp Bookmarks?
Students & Researchers
Save key explanations in recorded lectures, mark important sections in educational videos, or bookmark definitions in tutorial series. Perfect for exam prep when you need to revisit specific concepts quickly.
Developers & Tech Learners
Coding tutorials often run 1-3 hours. Bookmark setup steps, bug fixes, API explanations, or debugging walkthroughs so you can jump straight to the solution when you encounter the same issue later.
Podcast Listeners
Long-form podcast interviews on YouTube can span 2-4 hours. Save timestamps for guest introductions, key insights, book recommendations, or quotes you want to revisit or share.
Musicians & Language Learners
Bookmark tricky chord progressions, specific pronunciation examples, grammar explanations, or vocabulary sections in lessons. Replay specific moments until you've mastered them.
Recipe & DIY Enthusiasts
Cooking videos and DIY tutorials have multiple steps spread across long videos. Bookmark ingredient lists, technique demonstrations, or timing instructions so you can jump to exactly what you need.
Features to Look for in a YouTube Timestamp Extension
Not all YouTube timestamp savers are created equal. Here's what matters:
1. Unlimited Timestamps Per Video
Some extensions limit you to 3-5 bookmarks per video. That's useless for a 2-hour lecture with dozens of important moments. Look for extensions that support unlimited timestamps per video (at least in paid tiers).
2. Custom Labels for Each Bookmark
Saving "14:32" means nothing when you come back a week later. You need custom text labels like "Explains async/await" or "Guest talks about AI safety" so you remember why you bookmarked that moment.
3. Keyboard Shortcuts
Pausing a video, clicking a button, typing a label, and resuming breaks your flow. The best extensions offer keyboard shortcuts (like Alt+S) to save timestamps instantly without touching your mouse.
4. Visual Organization
You want to see all your bookmarked videos at a glance with thumbnail previews, video titles, and timestamp counts. Browsing a plain text list is tedious.
5. Export & Import
Your timestamps are valuable research notes. Extensions should let you export to a file for backup or import from a previous backup. Never risk losing your saved moments.
6. Fast Performance
Extensions that slow down YouTube are unusable. Look for lightweight tools that analyze videos without lag or buffering delays.
7. Privacy-Focused
Some extensions track your viewing habits or sell your data. Choose tools that store bookmarks locally in your browser without uploading your watch history to third-party servers.
Timestamp Bookmarks for YouTube: The Extension Built for This
I built Timestamp Bookmarks for YouTube specifically to solve the problems above. Here's what makes it different:
Save Unlimited Timestamps (Pro Tier)
Free tier: 3 timestamps per video, 20 videos total—enough to try it out.
Pro tier (£12/year): Unlimited timestamps per video, unlimited videos. No artificial limits.
One-Click Bookmarking with Keyboard Shortcut
Press Alt+S while watching any YouTube video to instantly save the current timestamp. Add a custom label in the popup (or leave blank for auto-generated labels like "14:32").
No need to pause, click icons, or break your focus.
Clean Visual Interface
Click the extension icon to see all your bookmarked videos with:
- Thumbnail previews
- Video titles
- Number of timestamps saved per video
- Click any video to see all saved timestamps
- Click any timestamp to jump directly to that moment
Import & Export for Backup
Export all your timestamps to a JSON file (backup or sharing). Import from a previous export to restore your bookmarks after reinstalling or switching devices.
Privacy-First Design
All timestamps are stored locally in your browser using chrome.storage.local. We don't upload your bookmarks, track your viewing habits, or sell your data. Your YouTube history stays private.
Lightweight & Fast
The extension uses minimal resources. No performance impact on YouTube playback, no lag when saving bookmarks.
How to Use Timestamp Bookmarks for YouTube
Step 1: Install the Extension
Available for Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Opera via the Chrome Web Store. Firefox support coming Q2 2026.
Step 2: Watch a YouTube Video
Navigate to any YouTube video—lecture, tutorial, podcast, music lesson, cooking show, etc.
Step 3: Save Timestamps
When you reach a moment worth saving, press Alt+S (or click the bookmark button that appears below the video). Add a custom label like:
- "Explains recursion with examples"
- "Guest discusses climate policy"
- "Recipe ingredient list"
- "Debugging tip for TypeError"
Step 4: Access Your Bookmarks
Click the extension icon in your browser toolbar to see all bookmarked videos. Click any video to view timestamps. Click any timestamp to jump directly to that moment.
Step 5: Export for Backup (Optional)
In the extension popup, click "Export" to download a JSON file of all your timestamps. Store it somewhere safe (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) as a backup.
Common Questions About YouTube Timestamp Extensions
Can I bookmark YouTube videos at multiple points?
Yes. Unlike YouTube's native features (which don't support this at all), a dedicated timestamp extension lets you save as many bookmarks as you need per video.
Do YouTube timestamp extensions work on all videos?
Yes. Timestamp Bookmarks for YouTube works on any public YouTube video, livestream replay, or unlisted video (as long as you have the link).
Will my bookmarks sync across devices?
Not automatically (to preserve privacy). But you can export your bookmarks to a file and import them on another device running the same extension.
Is there a free YouTube timestamp extension?
Yes. Timestamp Bookmarks for YouTube offers a free tier with 3 timestamps per video and 20 videos total—perfect for casual users or trying before upgrading to Pro.
What's the keyboard shortcut to save a YouTube timestamp?
In Timestamp Bookmarks for YouTube, press Alt+S while watching any video. This instantly saves the current timestamp without pausing playback.
Can I share my YouTube timestamps with others?
Yes. Export your timestamps to a file and share it. The recipient can import it into their own extension (if they're using the same tool).
Pricing: Free vs Pro
Timestamp Bookmarks for YouTube uses a freemium model:
- Free tier: 3 timestamps per video, 20 videos total—enough to test the extension and use casually
- Pro tier: £12/year for unlimited timestamps per video and unlimited videos—ideal for students, developers, researchers, or anyone who watches long-form content regularly
No monthly fees, no recurring surprise charges. One annual payment unlocks everything.
Alternatives to Timestamp Bookmarks for YouTube
Other YouTube timestamp tools exist, but most have limitations:
Manual Browser Bookmarks
Method: Pause video, copy URL with timestamp parameter (?t=872), save as browser bookmark
Issue: Clutters bookmark bar, no labels, no visual organization, manual process
Timestamp Bookmarks advantage: Purpose-built UI, instant keyboard shortcut, labels, thumbnails
YouTube Comment Timestamps
Method: Post timestamps in video comments for yourself
Issue: Public (not private), no organization, can't edit later, gets buried in other comments
Timestamp Bookmarks advantage: Private, organized, editable, searchable
Third-Party Playlist Tools
Method: Save videos to playlists with timestamps in descriptions
Issue: Saves entire videos (not specific moments), description editing is clunky, no quick access
Timestamp Bookmarks advantage: Saves exact moments, one-click access, visual browsing
Getting Started
If you watch long-form YouTube content—lectures, tutorials, podcasts, music lessons, DIY videos—you need a way to save important moments without losing them in hours of footage.
Timestamp Bookmarks for YouTube is the simplest, fastest way to:
- Save unlimited timestamps per video with custom labels
- Use keyboard shortcuts (Alt+S) for instant bookmarking
- Organize bookmarks visually with thumbnails and titles
- Export/import for backup and sharing
- Keep your data private (stored locally, not uploaded)
Start with the free tier (3 timestamps per video, 20 videos) to see if it fits your workflow. Upgrade to Pro (£12/year) when you need unlimited bookmarks.