Do I need a video file to create WebVTT lyrics?

You can create lyric timing from the song audio and its words. The timing must match the audio track used in the final video.

Is changing an SRT file extension to .vtt enough?

No. The file contents need the correct WebVTT syntax. Export VTT directly or use a format converter.

Can I use the same timing in a browser and a video editor?

Yes. Export VTT for a compatible web player and SRT for an editor that accepts it. Both can come from your reviewed lyric timing.

Does WebVTT guarantee karaoke word highlighting?

No. The result depends on both the cue content and the player's rendering support. For a custom word-level display, use the word timing data your renderer expects.

Create WebVTT lyric captions for web video

Align the words of a song to its recording and export a WebVTT caption file. Start with automatic timing, refine it against the vocal, then use the VTT alongside the matching media in a web player.

LyricTimestamps creates the timed lyric content. Your player controls how those captions appear.

Create my WebVTT lyric timing

Start with the free preview. See pricing for current limits and paid options.

A text track for your song

WebVTT is a text-track format used with web media. A basic file begins with WEBVTT and contains timed text cues. Serve the caption file where your player can access it and use the correct language label in the player configuration.

Basic WebVTT lyric cues

WEBVTT

00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:15.960
I remember every word you said

00:00:16.020 --> 00:00:19.340
Standing in the rain again

Read the WebVTT specification

Timing that follows the final audio

Use the version that will play on your website. If the video includes an extra intro or the song is trimmed after captioning, the caption times need the corresponding adjustment.

Check the beginning, a busy middle section and the last sung line. Then play the complete track in your target player to check timing and display together.

Keep word timing for a custom lyric display

An ordinary cue-based caption track is not the same as a custom word-highlighting renderer. If your application needs the start and end of individual words, retain the JSON export and build your display from those values.

For an existing VTT file that needs conversion or a timing repair, MusicTimestamps provides a guided utility workflow.

Convert or repair an existing WebVTT file

Questions about this workflow

Do I need a video file to create WebVTT lyrics?: You can create lyric timing from the song audio and its words. The timing must match the audio track used in the final video.
Is changing an SRT file extension to .vtt enough?: No. The file contents need the correct WebVTT syntax. Export VTT directly or use a format converter.
Can I use the same timing in a browser and a video editor?: Yes. Export VTT for a compatible web player and SRT for an editor that accepts it. Both can come from your reviewed lyric timing.
Does WebVTT guarantee karaoke word highlighting?: No. The result depends on both the cue content and the player's rendering support. For a custom word-level display, use the word timing data your renderer expects.