How to shift subtitle timing in 3 steps
- 1
Open your .sbv file
Drop it anywhere on the page or choose it with the button. The file stays on your device.
- 2
Enter the offset
Type a number of seconds, for example +1.5 to delay the subtitles or −0.8 to make them appear sooner. Check the “Now” column to see the new times.
- 3
Download the synced file
Click Download. The new file keeps your file name with the offset added, so you can tell it apart from the original.
Using it with YouTube Studio
In YouTube Studio, open Subtitles, choose the language, and download the captions as .sbv. Shift them here, then upload the new file back to the same video. If you cut the first few seconds from a video, a negative offset of that length lines everything back up.
Need captions for another platform? Choose SRT or WebVTT under “Save as” to convert while you shift.
Subtitles too early, too late, or drifting?
Subtitles appear before the speech
The subtitles are ahead of the audio. Delay them with a positive offset: +2 moves every line 2 seconds later.
Subtitles appear after the speech
The subtitles are behind the audio. Speed them up to match with a negative offset: −1.5 brings every line 1.5 seconds earlier.
In sync at the start, wrong by the end
The gap grows because the subtitles were timed for a different frame rate. Set “Subtitles timed for” and “Your video plays at”, then fine-tune with an offset.
Frequently asked questions
Subtitles appear too early. Do I add or subtract time?
Add time. A positive offset such as +2 makes every subtitle appear 2 seconds later. If the subtitles appear too late, subtract time with a negative offset such as −2.
Only part of my file is out of sync. Can I fix just that part?
Yes. Under “Match a line, frame rate and format”, set Start shifting at cue to the first line that is wrong. Lines before it keep their original times. This is the usual fix after an ad break or a scene that was cut from your copy.
Which subtitle formats does it support?
SRT (SubRip), WebVTT (.vtt), ASS and SSA (Advanced SubStation Alpha) and SBV (YouTube captions). It can also convert any of them to SRT or WebVTT while it shifts them.
How do I calculate the time offset?
Play the video and pause on a line of dialogue. Note the time the person starts speaking and the time the subtitle appears. The difference is your offset. If the subtitle appears 1.5 seconds before the voice, enter +1.5. If it appears 0.8 seconds after, enter −0.8.
Easier still: open “Match a line, frame rate and format”, type the cue number and when that line is actually spoken, and the offset is worked out for you.
Are my files uploaded to your server?
No. Your subtitle file is read and rewritten by your own browser. Nothing is uploaded, nothing is stored, and the tool keeps working if you go offline after the page has loaded.