YouTube Embed Parameters
Master YouTube embed parameters to create customized video players. Control autoplay, player controls, timing, and appearance with powerful URL parameters.
What are YouTube Embed Parameters?
YouTube embed parameters are URL query strings that allow you to customize how embedded videos behave and appear. These parameters are added to the iframe src URL and control various aspects of the video player including autoplay, controls, timing, and visual appearance.
By using these parameters, you can create tailored video experiences that match your website's design and user experience requirements. Parameters are added after the video ID in the URL, separated by ampersands (&).
Key Benefit: YouTube embed parameters give you complete control over video player behavior without requiring JavaScript or complex coding, making video customization simple and effective.
Basic Parameter Structure
URL Structure with Parameters
YouTube embed parameters are added to the iframe src URL following this structure:
Parameter URL Format:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID?parameter1=value1¶meter2=value2¶meter3=value3
URL Components:
- •
https://www.youtube.com/embed/
- Base URL - •
VIDEO_ID
- Unique video identifier - •
?
- Start of parameters - •
parameter=value
- Individual parameters - •
&
- Parameter separator
Example with Parameters:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/dQw4w9WgXcQ?autoplay=1&mute=1&controls=0&rel=0
Essential YouTube Embed Parameters
Playback Control Parameters
autoplay
• 0
= Disabled, 1
= Enabled (requires mute=1)mute
• 0
= Audio on, 1
= Audio offloop
• 0
= No loop, 1
= Continuous loopstart
• Start time in seconds (e.g., 30
= 30 seconds)end
• End time in seconds (e.g., 120
= 2 minutes)Player Appearance Parameters
controls
• 0
= Hidden, 1
= Visiblemodestbranding
• 0
= Full branding, 1
= Minimalrel
• 0
= Hide related videos, 1
= Showshowinfo
• 0
= Hide info, 1
= Show infoiv_load_policy
• 1
= Show annotations, 3
= HideParameter Code Examples
Basic Autoplay with Mute
<iframe
width="560"
height="315"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID?autoplay=1&mute=1"
title="YouTube video player"
frameborder="0"
allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
allowfullscreen>
</iframe>
Parameters: autoplay=1
(starts automatically), mute=1
(required for autoplay)
Custom Start/End Time with Loop
<iframe
width="560"
height="315"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID?start=30&end=120&loop=1&mute=1"
title="YouTube video player"
frameborder="0"
allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
allowfullscreen>
</iframe>
Parameters: start=30
(starts at 30s), end=120
(ends at 2min), loop=1
(continuous loop)
Minimal Player with Hidden Controls
<iframe
width="560"
height="315"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID?controls=0&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&iv_load_policy=3"
title="YouTube video player"
frameborder="0"
allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
allowfullscreen>
</iframe>
Parameters: controls=0
(no controls), modestbranding=1
(minimal branding), rel=0
(no related videos)
Advanced Parameter Combinations
Professional Video Player Configuration
Combine multiple parameters to create sophisticated video player experiences:
Advanced Player with All Parameters:
<iframe
width="100%"
height="400"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID?autoplay=1&mute=1&loop=1&start=15&end=90&controls=1&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&iv_load_policy=3&playsinline=1&fs=1"
title="Professional video player"
frameborder="0"
allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
allowfullscreen
style="border-radius: 8px; box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);">
</iframe>
Playback Parameters:
- •
autoplay=1
- Auto-start video - •
mute=1
- Mute for autoplay - •
loop=1
- Continuous playback - •
start=15
- Start at 15 seconds - •
end=90
- End at 90 seconds - •
playsinline=1
- Inline playback on mobile
Appearance Parameters:
- •
controls=1
- Show player controls - •
modestbranding=1
- Minimal YouTube branding - •
rel=0
- Hide related videos - •
showinfo=0
- Hide video information - •
iv_load_policy=3
- Hide annotations - •
fs=1
- Enable fullscreen
Complete Parameter Reference
Parameter | Values | Description |
---|---|---|
autoplay | 0, 1 | Automatically start video playback (requires mute=1) |
mute | 0, 1 | Mute video audio (required for autoplay) |
loop | 0, 1 | Loop video continuously |
start | Number | Start time in seconds |
end | Number | End time in seconds |
controls | 0, 1 | Show/hide player controls |
modestbranding | 0, 1 | Minimize YouTube branding |
rel | 0, 1 | Show/hide related videos |
showinfo | 0, 1 | Show/hide video information |
iv_load_policy | 1, 3 | Show/hide video annotations |
Best Practices for YouTube Parameters
User Experience
- • Always include
mute=1
when usingautoplay=1
- • Use
controls=1
for user interaction - • Consider
start
andend
for focused content - • Use
rel=0
to keep users on your site - • Test parameters across different devices
Technical Implementation
- • Separate parameters with
&
symbols - • Use lowercase parameter names
- • Validate parameter values before implementation
- • Consider URL length limitations
- • Test parameter combinations thoroughly
Related YouTube Embedding Topics
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