LRC File Format: Complete Technical Guide for 2026
What Is an LRC File
LRC (Lyric) is a text-based file format for storing synchronized song lyrics. Each line of lyrics is prefixed with a timestamp indicating when that line should be displayed during audio playback. The format was originally developed for karaoke applications and is now widely supported by music players, streaming apps, and media software. LRC files use the .lrc extension and are encoded as plain text, typically in UTF-8.
LRC File Structure
A standard LRC file consists of two parts:
- Metadata header (optional): Contains song information
- Timed lyrics: Lines prefixed with timestamps
Example LRC file:
[ar:Artist Name] [ti:Song Title] [al:Album Name] [by:LRC Creator] [offset:0]
[00:12.00]First line of lyrics [00:15.50]Second line of lyrics [00:18.00]Third line of lyrics
LRC Timestamp Format
LRC timestamps follow the format [mm:ss.xx] where:
• mm = minutes (00-99) • ss = seconds (00-59) • xx = hundredths of a second (00-99)
Some variations exist: • [mm:ss] - seconds only, no decimal • [mm:ss.xxx] - milliseconds (less common) • [mm:ss:xx] - colon separator for decimals
The most widely supported format is [mm:ss.xx] with two decimal places.
Standard LRC vs Enhanced LRC
Standard LRC uses line-level timestamps: each line appears when its timestamp is reached.
Enhanced LRC adds word-level timestamps using angle brackets mm:ss.xx within each line. This enables karaoke-style highlighting where individual words light up as they are sung.
Enhanced LRC is supported by players like Kugou Music, QQ Music, NetEase Cloud Music, and AIMP. It is not part of the original LRC specification but has become a widely adopted extension.
Enhanced LRC Syntax
Enhanced LRC places a word-level timestamp before each word:
Standard LRC: [00:12.00]I see trees of green, red roses too
Enhanced LRC: [00:12.00]<00:12.00>I <00:12.30>see <00:12.60>trees <00:12.90>of <00:13.20>green, <00:13.60>red <00:13.90>roses <00:14.20>too
Rules for Enhanced LRC: • Line timestamp [mm:ss.xx] always comes first • Word timestamps use angle brackets mm:ss.xx • First word timestamp usually matches line timestamp • No space between timestamp and word • Each word needs its own timestamp for smooth highlighting
LRC File Encoding
LRC files should use UTF-8 encoding for maximum compatibility, especially for non-Latin scripts like Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, or Cyrillic.
Historical notes: • Older LRC files may use ANSI, GB2312, or Big5 encoding • Some legacy players only support specific encodings • UTF-8 with BOM is supported but not recommended • UTF-16 is not widely supported
When creating LRC files for international audiences, always use UTF-8 without BOM.
Line Breaks and Formatting
LRC format rules for line breaks:
• Each lyric line is on a separate line in the file • Empty lines are typically ignored by players • Lines without timestamps are ignored • Multiple timestamps can point to the same line for repeating lyrics: [00:12.00][01:24.00]Repeating chorus line
Best practices: • Use LF (Unix) or CRLF (Windows) line endings • Avoid trailing whitespace • Keep lines under 80 characters when possible
Music Player Compatibility
Widely compatible players: • AIMP (Windows) - Full Enhanced LRC support • foobar2000 (Windows) - With ESLyric plugin • MusicBee (Windows) - Standard LRC • Kugou Music (China) - Full Enhanced LRC • QQ Music (China) - Full Enhanced LRC • NetEase Cloud Music (China) - Full Enhanced LRC
Streaming services: • Spotify and Apple Music use proprietary formats and do not accept external LRC files • YouTube Music does not support LRC
Mobile players: • Poweramp (Android) - Standard LRC • Neutron (Android) - Standard LRC • Most iOS players require specific apps for LRC support
LRC File Naming Conventions
For automatic LRC detection, name your LRC file to match your audio file:
• Audio: Song Title.mp3 • LRC: Song Title.lrc
Some players support alternative naming: • Artist - Title.lrc • Folder-based matching • Embedded lyrics in audio file metadata
Keep filenames under 255 characters and avoid special characters that may cause issues on different operating systems.
Common LRC Errors and How to Fix Them
Timestamps not displaying: • Check format is exactly [mm:ss.xx] • Ensure no extra spaces before bracket • Verify file encoding is UTF-8
Lyrics out of sync: • Use the [offset:+/- ms] tag to adjust globally • Positive offset delays lyrics, negative advances them • Edit individual timestamps for fine-tuning
Characters displaying incorrectly: • Convert file to UTF-8 encoding • Check player language/font support • Remove BOM if present
Enhanced LRC not highlighting: • Confirm player supports Enhanced LRC • Check angle bracket syntax mm:ss.xx • Ensure first word timestamp matches line timestamp
How to Create LRC Files with AI
Modern AI tools like EasyLRC can generate accurate LRC files automatically:
- Upload your audio file (MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC)
- AI transcribes and aligns each word to the audio
- Review and edit timestamps in the visual editor
- Export as Standard LRC or Enhanced LRC
AI-generated LRC files typically achieve 98%+ accuracy and can be created in under 3 minutes per song, compared to 1-2 hours for manual timing.
LRC vs Other Subtitle Formats
LRC vs SRT: • LRC is designed for music lyrics • SRT is designed for video subtitles • LRC uses simpler timestamp format • SRT supports styling and multi-line captions
LRC vs WebVTT: • WebVTT is the HTML5 standard for web video • LRC has better music player support • WebVTT supports positioning and CSS styling
LRC vs TTML: • TTML is XML-based for broadcast/streaming • LRC is simpler and more portable • TTML supports complex timing and styling
When to use LRC: • Music player synchronization • Karaoke applications • Simple lyrics display • Cross-platform compatibility
LRC Best Practices Summary
• Use UTF-8 encoding without BOM • Match LRC filename to audio filename • Include [ar], [ti], [al] metadata • Use [mm:ss.xx] timestamp format • For karaoke, use Enhanced LRC with word timestamps • Test in your target player before distribution • Keep backup copies of LRC files • Use AI tools like EasyLRC for accurate timing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between LRC and SRT files
LRC files are designed for synchronized song lyrics in music players, using a simple [mm:ss.xx] timestamp format. SRT files are designed for video subtitles, with start and end times and sequence numbers. LRC is simpler and has better music player support, while SRT is standard for video content.
How do I open an LRC file
LRC files are plain text and can be opened with any text editor like Notepad, VS Code, or TextEdit. To view them synchronized with music, use a music player that supports LRC files like AIMP, foobar2000, or MusicBee.
What encoding should LRC files use
LRC files should use UTF-8 encoding for maximum compatibility, especially for non-English lyrics. UTF-8 supports all languages including Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, and other scripts.
Do Spotify and Apple Music support LRC files
No, Spotify and Apple Music use proprietary synced lyrics formats and do not accept external LRC files. Their lyrics are provided through official partners. LRC files work with standalone music players like AIMP, foobar2000, and Chinese streaming apps.
What is Enhanced LRC
Enhanced LRC is an extension of the standard LRC format that adds word-level timestamps using angle brackets <mm:ss.xx>. This enables karaoke-style highlighting where individual words light up precisely when they are sung, rather than entire lines appearing at once.
How accurate are AI-generated LRC files
Modern AI tools like EasyLRC achieve 98%+ accuracy for lyrics synchronization across 99+ languages. AI can generate word-level timing in under 3 minutes, compared to 1-2 hours for manual timing.
Ready to Create Your Own Enhanced LRC Files?
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