Fix subtitle timing and reading speed in your srt files

Subtitles drift out of sync, lines bleed off the screen, and SDH tags clutter your translation work. Video editors and translators spend hours fixing these problems manually, but three core issues—timing offsets, unreadable line lengths, and descriptive hearing tags—are easily solved with the right workflow. TextArray provides browser-based tools that let you fix timing, verify readability, wrap lines, and strip unwanted markup in seconds, all without uploading files to a server.

Shifting subtitle timing for sync

When video playback doesn't match your subtitle file, the entire SRT is offset by a fixed number of seconds. Instead of manually recalculating every timestamp, use the SRT time shifter to add or subtract seconds globally. Paste your SRT file into the tool, enter the offset amount (negative numbers move subtitles earlier in time, positive numbers move them later), and download the corrected file. A 2-second lag becomes perfectly timed in one click. This approach is far faster than opening your subtitle editor and dragging the entire timeline, and you can experiment with different offsets without committing changes.

Measuring reading speed with CPS

Viewers have limited time to read each subtitle. Reading speed is measured in characters per second (CPS), and typical targets range from 12–17 CPS for general audiences, with some broadcasters insisting on 15 CPS maximum. If a subtitle contains 50 characters but only displays for 2 seconds, viewers must read at 25 CPS to keep up—they will miss content. Use the subtitle CPS checker to analyze your entire SRT file and identify which subtitles violate your target reading speed. Enter your CPS threshold, paste the SRT, and the tool flags every line that reads too fast, helping you either extend subtitle duration in your video editor or trim wordy text. This is particularly critical in audiovisual translation, where slow readers and international audiences need breathing room.

Wrapping long lines for screen fit

Long subtitles don't wrap automatically; they truncate or overflow depending on the player. Professional subtitles break at natural phrase boundaries and stay within screen width, typically 40–42 characters per line to remain legible on mobile and small screens. Rather than rewrap manually, use the subtitle line wrapper to automatically break your SRT at a defined character limit. Most tools default to 42 characters, respecting word boundaries so you don't split mid-word. Paste your file, set your character limit, and get back valid SRT with tidy two-line subtitles that fit all playback contexts.

Removing SDH and descriptive tags

Subtitles destined for hearing-impaired audiences include descriptive tags like [DOOR SLAMS] or (background music plays). When translating or repurposing those files for other uses, those tags become noise and clutter your translation memory or word count statistics. Use the SDH stripper to remove all descriptive hearing markup in one pass. It strips square brackets, parentheses, and common SDH conventions, leaving only the dialogue. This is perfect for adapting deaf-friendly subtitles into standard translations or preparing subtitles for archival without accessibility metadata.

Combining these steps into one workflow

A typical workflow for syncing and polishing subtitles looks like this. First, shift timing with the SRT time shifter to match your video. Then check reading speed with the CPS checker and either trim or adjust durations in your video editor. Wrap long lines to screen width using the line wrapper. Finally, strip any SDH tags if you're converting accessibility subtitles into general-use translations. Each step is independent; you can skip any that don't apply to your file. For rushed deadlines, this sequence reduces manual work significantly compared to opening multiple desktop subtitle editors.

Works entirely in your browser

All these tools run locally in your browser. Paste your SRT file, process it, and download the result. Nothing is uploaded to a server, no account is required, and the tools work even if you disconnect from the network after they load. Your subtitle data stays private and never leaves your computer. This also means no rate limits, no file size restrictions (within browser memory), and instant processing. For translators and editors handling confidential content or working offline on set or in remote locations, local-only processing is essential.

Get sync and readability right

Timing, reading speed, line wrapping, and tag cleanup are mechanical tasks that editors and translators have solved manually for years. These tools automate the work and give you back hours each month. Whether you're fixing a 2-second sync drift, optimizing for hearing-impaired audiences, or prepping subtitles for international release, TextArray's subtitle suite handles the tedium so you can focus on translation quality and creative editing.