Format guide
Lyrics File (LRC)
The de-facto standard for synced song lyrics. Plain text with [mm:ss.xx] timestamps.
- .lrc
- application/x-lrc
- Free · runs in your browser
What is LRC?
LRC is a lightweight text format invented in 1998 to display synchronised lyrics alongside audio playback. Each line is preceded by a timestamp in [minutes:seconds.centiseconds] form, and most modern karaoke and music players (Foobar2000, MusicBee, KuGou, RockBox, Plex) read it natively. Enhanced LRC additionally supports per-word timestamps via inline <mm:ss.xx> tags, enabling true karaoke-style highlighting.
Common use cases
- Karaoke files for personal music libraries
- Embedded lyrics inside MP3 / FLAC / Ogg metadata
- Display in mobile lyrics players (PowerAmp, Lyrically, MusicMatch)
Example file
A minimal, valid .lrc file
[ti:Sample Song]
[ar:Sample Artist]
[00:12.34]First synced line
[00:18.91]Second synced line
LRC compared with the other formats
Which format to reach for is really a question of what it can carry. Every value here is read off the same parsers this site's converters run on.
| Feature | LRC | SRT | VTT | ASS | TTML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End time per cueWhether a cue says when it stops, or simply runs until the next one begins. | |||||
| Word-level timingPer-word timestamps for true karaoke highlighting. | |||||
| Styling & positioningNamed styles, layers and on-screen placement carried in the file itself. | |||||
| File-level tagsTitle, artist and album stored in the file rather than alongside it. | |||||
| Cue identifiersA handle for each cue, useful when diffing or re-syncing. | numbered | optional | optional | ||
| Timestamp precisionThe smallest time step the format can express. | centiseconds | milliseconds | milliseconds | centiseconds | milliseconds |
Free LRC tools
LRC questions
What is a LRC file?
The de-facto standard for synced song lyrics. Plain text with [mm:ss.xx] timestamps.
How do I convert LRC to another subtitle or lyric format?
Use LrcSong's free in-browser converters to turn LRC into LRC, SRT, VTT, ASS, or TTML. No signup or upload — conversion runs entirely on your device with timestamps preserved.
Is the LRC viewer and validator free?
Yes. Viewing and validating LRC files on LrcSong is free and runs in your browser — no account required.