diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 24bfe38a24..27b20df042 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ The `-o` option allows users to indicate a template for the output file names. T
  - `epoch`: The sequence will be replaced by the Unix epoch when creating the file.
  - `autonumber`: The sequence will be replaced by a five-digit number that will be increased with each download, starting at zero.
  - `playlist`: The name or the id of the playlist that contains the video.
- - `playlist_index`: The index of the video in the playlist, a five-digit number.
+ - `playlist_index`: The sequence will be replaced by the index of the video in the playlist padded with leading zeros according to the total length of the playlist.
  - `format_id`: The sequence will be replaced by the format code specified by `--format`.
 
 The current default template is `%(title)s-%(id)s.%(ext)s`.