How to shift subtitle timing in 3 steps
- 1
Find the delay in VLC
While the video plays, press H to delay the subtitles or G to make them earlier (Mac shortcuts can differ; they are listed in VLC’s Hotkeys settings). Each press moves them 50 ms. Note the value VLC shows.
- 2
Enter the same value here
Open the .srt file you used in VLC and type the delay, for example 1500ms or −750ms. A positive VLC delay is a positive offset here.
- 3
Download and replace the file
Save the new .srt next to the video with the same name as the video file, and VLC (and most players) will load it automatically.
Fixed it in VLC? Make it permanent
In VLC you can nudge subtitles while you watch: H delays them and G brings them earlier, 50 ms per press. On a Mac the keys can differ; VLC lists them under its Hotkeys settings. The catch is that VLC forgets the delay as soon as you close the video.
Found your offset in VLC? Enter that exact value here, in milliseconds (1500ms) or seconds (1.5), to save the adjusted timestamps into your subtitle file permanently. It will then play in sync in VLC, on your TV, in Plex or anywhere else.
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
How do I permanently save a subtitle delay from VLC?
VLC’s subtitle delay only lasts until you close the video. Note the delay VLC shows (for example “Subtitle delay 1500 ms”), open your .srt here, type 1500ms (or 1.5) as the offset, and download. The new file has the delay built in, so it plays in sync in any player.
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.
Why are my subtitles out of sync?
Usually the subtitle file was made for a different release of the video. A version with a studio logo, a recap or an extra few seconds at the start shifts every line by the same amount; that is fixed with an offset.
If the gap grows as the film goes on, the subtitles were timed for a different frame rate, for example 25 fps (UK and European TV) against 23.976 fps (film and most web releases). Pick both frame rates in the tool and it rescales every timestamp.
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.
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.