How to fix out-of-sync subtitles (SRT and VTT)

First, diagnose: offset or drift?

Check the sync at the start of the video and near the end. If subtitles are off by the same amount in both places — say, always 2 seconds late — you have a fixed offset, and shifting every timestamp by the same amount fixes it completely.

If the error grows over time (fine at the start, several seconds off by the end), the subtitle file was authored for a different frame rate, typically a 23.976 vs 25 fps mismatch. A constant shift cannot fix drift; you need re-timing by rate, which most desktop subtitle editors offer.

Fixing a fixed offset

Work out the direction first: if the text appears after the words are spoken, subtitles are late and need a negative shift (earlier); if the text arrives before the audio, shift positive (later). Estimate the amount by pausing on a clearly spoken line and comparing it to the subtitle timestamp.

Our subtitle shifter applies the offset to every SRT or VTT timestamp in your browser — the file is never uploaded. Shift, spot-check a line near the start and one near the end, and download the corrected file. Most players also support live offset keys (in VLC, g and h) for finding the right value before you fix the file permanently.

Why subtitles go out of sync at all

The usual causes: the subtitle file was made for a different cut of the video (extra studio logos or trimmed intros at the start), a different frame rate, or a re-encode that changed the container timing. That is why a subtitle file that works perfectly with one release of a video can be seconds off with another.

Try related tools

• Subtitle shifter — Fix out-of-sync SRT/VTT subtitles by shifting all timestamps.