01
Add your song
Upload audio after choosing minutes. If you already have the words, paste them to guide alignment.
Automatic web captions from song audio
Create WebVTT captions for your song
Generate editable timed lyrics from audio and export WebVTT for HTML5 video, YouTube, and web-player workflows—without constructing every cue by hand.
Already have the lyrics, or a subtitle file to convert? The free tools handle that in the browser — no account needed. Transcribing your own audio automatically, with word-level timing, needs a minute pack or subscription.
lyrics.vtt
WEBVTT 00:00:12.340 --> 00:00:15.670 I have been waiting for this moment 00:00:15.670 --> 00:00:18.900 To finally see your face
WebVTT requires the WEBVTT header and uses a period before milliseconds. Cue identifiers are optional.
Start with what you have
Four routes to a finished VTT file
Automatic generation and free file tools solve different starting points. Choose yours below.
I only have the song
Let LyricTime transcribe the words, create editable line or word timing, and export VTT.
See automatic optionsI have lyrics and audio
Tap complete lyric lines into time yourself in the free Manual Timestamp Creator. Nothing is uploaded or saved.
Time lyrics manuallyI have an SRT or LRC file
Convert the timed text to WebVTT locally. SRT cue ranges transfer naturally; basic LRC lines need inferred end times.
Convert to VTT freeI already have a VTT file
Check formatting and timing problems, listen against local audio, repair lines, and export a clean copy.
Open the file toolkitThe format
What is WebVTT?
WebVTT (Web Video Text Tracks) is the browser-native format for timed text. It begins with a WEBVTT header and stores cues with start and end times. The standard can also express positioning and styling, although platforms may ignore or override those extras.
Best used for
- Native HTML5 video text tracks
- YouTube, Vimeo, Wistia, and compatible web players
- Caption delivery that may need cue positioning or styling
What the file carries
- Complete cue text with explicit start and end times
- Optional cue identifiers and positioning settings
- UTF-8 text for multilingual captions
Does not reliably carry: consistently rendered styles across every platform, LyricTime word-highlight animation as editable project data, audio or revision history.
Automatic workflow
From song audio to editable VTT
02
Generate and review
LyricTime creates an editable timed draft. Choose line timing or word timing, then correct the words and boundaries in context.
03
Export VTT
Download a properly structured VTT file, or move the timed lyrics into the Video Studio.
Choose deliberately
VTT compared with the alternatives
| Format | Best for | Important difference |
|---|---|---|
| VTT | HTML5 and web video | WEBVTT header, period milliseconds, optional cue settings. |
| SRT | Video editors and general subtitles | Simpler numbered cues and wider legacy software support. |
| LRC | Music players and synced lyrics | Usually one start timestamp per line rather than a cue range. |
Practical details
Use WebVTT without losing the web details
A basic VTT looks similar to SRT, but its required header, millisecond punctuation, and optional cue settings matter. The destination player still decides which extras it honors.
Keep the header first
WEBVTT must be the first meaningful line. Missing or malformed headers are a common reason a browser rejects the track.
Use period milliseconds
Write 00:00:12.340 rather than the comma used by SRT. Automated conversion should handle that punctuation for you.
Expect style differences
WebVTT can express styling and positioning, but hosted platforms often apply their own caption controls. Test the final player.
Connect with a track element
For HTML5 video, reference the VTT file from a track element with the correct kind, language, and label attributes.
Questions, answered
WebVTT generator FAQ
Can LyricTime create VTT from song audio?+
Yes. LyricTime can transcribe song audio, create editable timing, and export WebVTT. Processing your own song requires purchased minutes or a subscription.
Can I make VTT free when I already have lyrics?+
Yes. Use the free Manual Timestamp Creator to tap your lyric lines into time, or use Convert to VTT when you already have SRT or LRC timing.
Should I use VTT or SRT?+
Choose VTT for HTML5 and web-player delivery. Choose SRT when broad video-editor compatibility is the priority. Both store complete cues with start and end times.
Can WebVTT captions be styled?+
The format supports cue styling and positioning, but support varies and platforms can override it. Treat text and timing as the most portable parts of the file.
How do I add VTT to HTML5 video?+
Reference the VTT from a track element inside the video element, then provide an appropriate kind, srclang, and label. The video and caption file must also be served in a way the browser can access.
How do I fix a VTT that does not load?+
Use the free Lyric File Toolkit to check the WEBVTT header, timestamp punctuation, cue ranges, overlaps, and blank-line structure, then export a repaired copy.
