Subtitle shifter

When a constant shift is the fix

If the subtitles are off by the same amount from the first line to the last, for example always two seconds late, the video simply starts at a different point than the release the subtitles were made for. Often an intro or studio logo was added or cut. A single shift fixes it.

If the gap grows over the course of the video, a shift is not enough. That is drift, and you need two-point resync or a frame-rate change.

How to use the subtitle shifter tool

1. Measure the offset. Play the video, note when a line is spoken and compare it with the time in the cue list.
2. Enter the shift. Positive numbers make subtitles appear later, negative numbers earlier. Use decimals for precision, for example −1.25.
3. Apply and preview. In the Preview tab, load the video and use the ±0.5 s buttons to nudge while it plays.
4. Download. Export in the original format or any other.

Settings explained

Shift by (seconds)

Accepts milliseconds as decimals: 0.040 is one frame at 25 fps.

Starting from cue number

Shifts only that cue and everything after it, useful when an advert break or scene was cut partway through.

Measuring the offset precisely

Pause the video exactly where a line starts being spoken and read the time from the player. Subtract the cue’s current start time from it: a positive result means shift later, negative means earlier. One clear line near the start is enough for a constant offset.

Undo and reset

Every change can be undone step by step (up to 30 steps), and Reset to original restores the file as loaded. Experiment freely.

Cues that would start before zero

When shifting earlier, any time that would fall below 00:00:00 is clamped to zero. Check the first cues after a large negative shift.

Troubleshooting

Still out of sync at the end

The problem is drift, not offset. Use two-point resync.

Only the second half is off

Set “Starting from cue number” to the first wrong cue and shift just that part.

Frequently asked questions