Subtitle sync guide
How to sync subtitles in MPC-HC
Media Player Classic (both MPC-HC and the MPC-BE fork) has a subtitle delay you can adjust live with the keyboard or from the menu.
Works on: Windows
Quick shortcut
Step by step
- 1
Play the video with subtitles loaded
Open your video in MPC-HC; a matching .srt or .ass file beside it loads automatically.
- 2
Use the Sub Delay keys
Press Numpad − to move subtitles earlier or Numpad + to move them later. The default step is shown — and adjustable — under Options.
- 3
Set the step size if needed
Open View ▸ Options ▸ Subtitles and set “Delay interval” (e.g. 100 ms or 500 ms) so each keypress matches how far off your subtitles are.
- 4
Check the on-screen delay
MPC-HC shows the current “Subtitle Delay” value as you press the keys. Keep going until a line and its caption appear together.
If the Numpad keys aren’t mapped, open Options ▸ Player ▸ Keys and assign hotkeys to “Sub Delay −” and “Sub Delay +”.
Fix the subtitle file permanently
The delay in MPC-HC is only temporary. To fix the timing for good, correct the subtitle file once and it plays in sync everywhere.
Open the free sync toolMPC-HC subtitle sync FAQ
What are the subtitle delay keys in MPC-HC?
By default, Numpad − decreases the subtitle delay (subtitles earlier) and Numpad + increases it (subtitles later). You can change the step size under View ▸ Options ▸ Subtitles.
How do I keep the MPC-HC subtitle timing for next time?
The delay is per-session. To save the correct timing into the file, run it through the SubAlign sync tool with the same offset and replace the original subtitle file.
Sync subtitles in other players
Step-by-step instructions for fixing out-of-sync subtitles in the apps people use most.