LRC to SRT: Convert Synced Lyrics to Subtitles
Quick Answer
You can convert LRC to SRT by turning each LRC timestamp line into a numbered SRT block with a start time, an end time, and the lyric text.
If your LRC file already has accurate timing, conversion is simple. The tricky part is SRT requires an end time per line. The converter estimates this from the next line's start time.
What Changes During Conversion
LRC and SRT both describe timed text, but they have different levels of structure.
LRC is a lightweight lyrics format. Each line starts with a single timestamp in [mm:ss.xx] format, with no end time and no numbering.
SRT adds more structure. Each subtitle block has a sequence number, a start and end timestamp in hh:mm:ss,mmm format, and the text.
When you convert LRC to SRT, the converter keeps:
- Lyric text: the words from each LRC line.
- Start times: reformatted from
[mm:ss.xx]tohh:mm:ss,mmm. - Line order: the original sequence of the lyrics.
The converter adds:
- Sequence numbers: SRT requires blocks to be numbered from 1.
- End times: estimated from the next line's start time, or a default duration for the last line.
- Block separators: blank lines between each SRT block.
Ready to try it with your own file?
Upload audio, review the timing, and export the format you need.
Simple Example
An LRC line looks like this:
[00:12.50]When the night has come [00:15.00]And the land is dark
The same lines in SRT format:
1 00:00:12,500 --> 00:00:15,000 When the night has come
2 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:18,000 And the land is dark
The end time for line 1 is taken from the start time of line 2. The last line gets a default duration added.
How to Convert LRC to SRT
The basic steps are:
- Open your
.lrcfile and check that every lyric line has a timestamp. - Reformat each timestamp from
[mm:ss.xx]tohh:mm:ss,mmm. - Add an end time: use the next line's start time, or add 2 to 3 seconds for the last line.
- Number each block starting from 1.
- Add a blank line between blocks.
- Save the result as a
.srtfile with UTF-8 encoding.
For a faster option, use the free LRC to SRT converter. Upload your file and download the SRT in seconds.
Start With a Clean LRC File
The quality of the SRT file depends on the quality of the LRC file.
Before converting, check for:
- Missing timestamps: every lyric line must have a timestamp or it will be skipped.
- Accurate timing: if lines are late or early in the LRC, they will be late or early in the SRT.
- Reasonable line length: SRT subtitles are typically 42 characters or fewer per line. Split long LRC lines before converting.
- UTF-8 encoding: ensures characters display correctly in video players.
When to Recreate the Timing
If your LRC file is already accurate, conversion is enough.
If the lyrics drift or were manually timed loosely, it is usually better to regenerate from the original audio. EasyLRC can transcribe a track and produce a fresh, accurate LRC file, then convert it to SRT with clean timing.
When You Need LRC in SRT Format
The most common reasons to convert LRC to SRT:
- Lyric videos: video editors like Adobe Premiere and DaVinci Resolve import SRT, not LRC.
- YouTube captions: YouTube accepts SRT uploads for synced lyrics on music videos.
- Sharing subtitles: SRT has broader support in video players and streaming tools than LRC.
For music players and karaoke apps, LRC is the better format. For anything video-related, SRT is the right choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can LRC files be converted to SRT
Yes. LRC can be converted to SRT by reformatting each timestamp from [mm:ss.xx] to hh:mm:ss,mmm, adding sequence numbers, and estimating end times from the next line's start time.
How does the converter add end times when LRC has none
The end time for each SRT block is taken from the start time of the next LRC line. For the last line, a default duration of 2 to 3 seconds is added. This means subtitle display lengths depend on how your LRC lines are spaced.
What is the difference between LRC and SRT format
LRC is a music player format: one [mm:ss.xx] timestamp per line, no end times. SRT is a video subtitle format: numbered blocks with start and end timestamps in hh:mm:ss,mmm format. LRC works best for synced lyrics; SRT for video captions and lyric videos.
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