Can I use this tool to create an SRT file for video subtitles?

No. This tool generates LRC files for music lyrics, which use [mm:ss.xx] timestamps. SRT files for video subtitles use a different format with hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds (e.g., 00:01:23,456).

Does the LRC File Generator support word-level timing?

No. The tool creates simple line-level timestamps with a fixed interval. For word-level timing, you’ll need a dedicated LRC editor or karaoke software that supports enhanced LRC features.

What happens if I enter more than 500 lyric lines?

The generator will reject the input and prompt you to reduce the number of lines. The limit ensures the file remains manageable and compatible with most players.

Can I add custom metadata tags beyond title, artist, and album?

No. The tool only supports [ti], [ar], and [al] tags to maintain compatibility with the simple LRC subset. Adding custom tags may cause parsing errors in some players.

Why does the generator fail if the final timestamp exceeds 999:59.99?

The tool enforces this limit to prevent silent truncation, which could create invalid files. If your lyrics exceed this duration, reduce the interval or start the first timestamp earlier.

Is the LRC file generated offline?

Yes. All processing happens in your browser—no lyric text is uploaded to a server or stored in an account. The download is a direct UTF-8 text file created locally.

Create a Lyrics SRT File for Music with Exact Timestamps

A lyrics SRT file for music is a plain-text LRC file that pairs each lyric line with a [mm:ss.xx] timestamp, allowing music players to display the words in sync with the audio. The LRC File Generator creates this file by taking your lyric lines, a starting timestamp, and a fixed interval between lines, then producing a downloadable .lrc file with centisecond precision. This approach skips manual timestamp entry and avoids audio uploads, making it ideal for quick drafts. After generating the file, you can open it alongside your recording and fine-tune individual timestamps in a dedicated editor or player to match the exact vocal timing.

Creating a synchronized lyrics file is useful for karaoke, lyric videos, or personal music libraries where you want the words to appear at the right moment. Unlike video subtitles, which often use SRT files, music lyrics typically rely on the LRC format—a de-facto standard with simple [mm:ss.xx] timestamps. The LRC File Generator focuses on this core format, omitting advanced features like word-level timing or duet markers. This keeps the process straightforward: you provide the lyrics, set the timing, and get a file that works in most music players. If your player supports additional metadata, you can add optional title, artist, and album tags during generation.

What You Need Before Starting

To create a lyrics SRT file (LRC format) with the LRC File Generator, you only need three things:

The lyric lines you want to sync, typed or pasted into the tool. Each line should represent one display event (e.g., a single line of the song).
A starting timestamp in MM:SS.xx format (e.g., 00:12.34), which sets when the first lyric appears.
A fixed interval in seconds (e.g., 2.50), which determines the time gap between successive lines.

The tool handles the rest, including converting the interval to centiseconds, generating the timestamps, and formatting the file. You don’t need the audio file itself—just the lyrics and a rough idea of when the first line should appear. If you’re unsure about the timing, start with a 2- or 3-second interval and adjust later in your music player.

Input	Format or Limit	Purpose
Lyric lines	1–500 non-empty lines, up to 500 characters per line	Each line becomes one timed display event in the LRC file.
First timestamp	MM:SS.xx (e.g., 00:00.00 to 999:59.99)	Sets the start time for the first lyric line.
Interval	0.01–600.00 seconds, max 2 decimal places	Determines the time gap between successive lyric lines.
Optional tags	Title, artist, album (up to 120 characters each)	Added as [ti], [ar], and [al] metadata in the LRC file.

How to Create a Lyrics SRT File (LRC Format)

Open the LRC File Generator in your browser.
Enter your lyric lines, one per row. Blank lines are automatically removed.
Set the first timestamp in MM:SS.xx format (e.g., 00:12.34). This is when the first lyric will appear.
Choose an interval in moments (e.g., 2.50) for the time gap between lines. The tool converts this to centiseconds to avoid floating-point drift.
Optionally, add a title, artist, and album. These become [ti], [ar], and [al] tags in the file.
Click Generate to create the LRC file. The preview shows the exact text, including timestamps and metadata.
Check the first and last timestamps in the preview to ensure they match your expectations.
Click Download to save the file locally. The filename is derived from the title (if provided) or defaults to synced-lyrics.lrc.
Open the LRC file alongside your audio in a music player or editor to verify the sync. Adjust individual timestamps as needed.

Adjusting Timestamps After Generation

The LRC File Generator uses a fixed interval to create a starting draft, but real vocals rarely begin at perfectly equal spacing. After downloading the file, you’ll need to fine-tune the timestamps to match the exact recording. Most music players and lyric editors allow you to adjust individual timestamps manually. For example:

In VLC, open the LRC file alongside the audio and use the "Lyrics" menu to tweak the timing.
In Foobar2000, right-click the lyric line and select "Edit timestamp" to change its start time.
In dedicated editors like Subtitle Edit, you can drag timestamps on a waveform to align them precisely.

If the final timestamp exceeds 999:59.99, the generator will fail rather than truncate the file. In this case, reduce the interval or start the first timestamp earlier to keep the total duration within limits.

Metadata and Player Compatibility

The LRC File Generator includes optional title, artist, and album tags as [ti], [ar], and [al] metadata. These tags are widely supported but not universal—some players may ignore them or display them differently. For example:

Player	Supports [ti]/[ar]/[al]	Supports Long Minute Values (e.g., 123:45.67)	Notes
VLC	Yes	Yes	Displays metadata in the playlist and lyric window.
Foobar2000	Yes	Yes	Shows metadata in the lyric panel and file properties.
Windows Media Player	No	No	Ignores metadata and may not display long minute values correctly.
iTunes	Partial	Yes	Supports some metadata but may not display all tags.

If your player doesn’t support a specific tag, the file will still work for lyric display—only the metadata will be missing. Always test the file in your target player to confirm compatibility.

Common Issues and Fixes

If the LRC file doesn’t sync correctly, check these common issues:

Timestamps are off by a few seconds: The fixed interval is only a draft. Open the file in an editor and adjust individual timestamps to match the audio.
Lyrics appear too early or late: The first timestamp may be incorrect. Regenerate the file with a new start time or tweak the first line’s timestamp manually.
Metadata doesn’t appear: Your player may not support [ti], [ar], or [al] tags. Test in another player or remove the metadata if needed.
Generation fails with no output: The final timestamp may exceed 999:59.99. Reduce the interval or start the first timestamp earlier.
Characters appear incorrectly: The file uses UTF-8 encoding without a byte-order mark. Ensure your player supports UTF-8 text.

If you encounter control characters or square brackets in your lyrics, the generator will reject them to prevent parsing errors. Remove these characters before generating the file.

Alternatives to Fixed-Interval Timing

The LRC File Generator uses a fixed interval for simplicity, but this approach has limitations. For more precise syncing, consider these alternatives:

Manual timestamp entry: Use a text editor or dedicated LRC editor to set each timestamp individually. This is time-consuming but allows for exact alignment with the audio.
Audio alignment tools: Some software, like Audio Cutter, can help you isolate vocal sections and estimate timing. However, these tools don’t generate LRC files directly—you’ll still need to create the file manually or with the LRC File Generator.
Karaoke software: Programs like Karaoke Builder Studio or KaraFun allow you to sync lyrics with audio waveforms. These tools often support advanced LRC features like word-level timing and duet markers.
Online editors: Websites like QuickLRC offer LRC editing with waveform visualization. You can upload your audio and drag timestamps to align the lyrics.

For most users, the LRC File Generator provides a quick starting point. After generating the file, use one of these methods to refine the timing for a polished result.

Understanding the LRC Format

The LRC format is a plain-text file with a simple structure. Each timed lyric line follows this pattern:

[mm:ss.xx]Lyric text

Here’s a breakdown of the components:

[mm:ss.xx]: The timestamp, where mm is minutes (2–3 digits), ss is seconds (00–59), and xx is centiseconds (00–99). For example, [01:23.45] represents 1 minute, 23 seconds, and 45 centiseconds.
Lyric text: The line of lyrics that appears at the specified timestamp. This can include punctuation, capitalization, and line breaks (each line is a separate timestamp).

Optional metadata tags appear at the top of the file, formatted as:

[ti:Title] [ar:Artist] [al:Album]

A blank line separates the metadata from the timed lyrics. The LRC File Generator adheres to this structure, ensuring compatibility with players that follow the de-facto standard. For more details on the format, refer to the QuickLRC LRC file format documentation or the Subforge LRC time implementation.