SRT to LRC: Convert Subtitles to Synced Lyrics
Quick Answer
You can convert SRT to LRC by stripping the sequence numbers and end timestamps from each SRT block, then reformatting the start timestamp from hh:mm:ss,mmm to [mm:ss.xx].
If your SRT file has accurate timing, conversion is simple. If the timing is off, fix it in SRT first. The LRC file will inherit whatever timing is already there.
What Changes During Conversion
SRT and LRC both describe timed text, but they have different structures.
SRT organises lyrics as numbered blocks. Each block has a sequence number, a start and end timestamp, and one or more lines of text.
LRC is simpler. Each line is prefixed with a single start timestamp in [mm:ss.xx] format. There are no end times and no sequence numbers.
When you convert SRT to LRC, the converter keeps:
- Lyric text: the words from each SRT block.
- Start times: when each line begins, reformatted to LRC syntax.
- Line order: the original sequence of the lyrics.
The converter drops:
- Sequence numbers: LRC does not use them.
- End timestamps: LRC only needs a start time per line.
- HTML tags: formatting like
<i>and<b>is not part of the LRC spec.
Ready to try it with your own file?
Upload audio, review the timing, and export the format you need.
Simple Example
An SRT block looks like this:
1 00:00:12,500 --> 00:00:15,000 When the night has come
The same line in LRC format:
[00:12.50]When the night has come
The key differences: no sequence number, no end time, and the timestamp uses brackets and a period instead of a comma.
How to Convert SRT to LRC
The basic steps are:
- Open your
.srtfile in a text editor to check the content. - Remove the sequence number from each block.
- Take only the start time from the timestamp line.
- Reformat from
hh:mm:ss,mmmto[mm:ss.xx]. Drop hours if under 60 minutes, change the comma to a period, and trim to two decimal places. - Place the reformatted timestamp at the start of the lyric line.
- Save the result as a
.lrcfile with UTF-8 encoding.
For a faster option, use the free SRT to LRC converter. paste your file and download the result in seconds.
Start With a Clean SRT File
The quality of the LRC file depends on the quality of the SRT file.
Before converting, check for:
- Accurate timing: each line should match the audio closely. SRT end times are dropped during conversion, so only the start matters.
- One idea per block: split long SRT blocks into separate lines if they cover more than one lyric phrase.
- Removed styling tags:
<i>,<b>, and<font>tags do not carry over to LRC and may cause display issues in some players. - UTF-8 encoding: ensures non-English characters display correctly after conversion.
When to Recreate the Timing
If your SRT file is already well-timed, conversion is enough.
If the lyrics drift, appear late, or were generated from a poor source, it is usually faster to recreate the timing from the original audio. EasyLRC can transcribe a track and generate a fresh LRC file with accurate word-level timing. That is cleaner than inheriting a rough SRT.
A Better Workflow for New Songs
For existing SRT files, the converter is the quickest path.
For new songs, start from audio instead. Upload your track, let EasyLRC create the timing automatically, review the result, and export directly as LRC. That way you skip the SRT step entirely and get a cleaner file from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can SRT files be converted to LRC
Yes. SRT can be converted to LRC by removing sequence numbers and end timestamps, then reformatting the start time from hh:mm:ss,mmm to [mm:ss.xx]. The lyric text carries over unchanged.
Does LRC keep the same timing as the original SRT
Yes. The LRC file uses the start time from each SRT block. End times are dropped because LRC only requires a start timestamp per line.
What is the difference between SRT and LRC format
SRT is designed for video subtitles and uses numbered blocks with start and end timestamps. LRC is designed for music lyrics and uses a simpler format with one start timestamp per line. LRC has better support in music players and karaoke apps; SRT has better support in video players and streaming platforms.
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