Look beyond video captions
Search LRCLIB, NetEase and optional Kugou. Lyrics come from these sources, so the video does not need its own lyric captions.
YouTube extension
LyricLayer Free
No lyrics on YouTube?
Follow the words anyway.
LyricLayer finds lyrics separately from the video’s captions. Follow a matching recording in the player, or keep the words in a floating window.
Free to use. No account or ads. Matches depend on the song and source.
Install on desktop Chrome or Edge. Refresh YouTube after installing. Setup guide
Try your first song
Open a lyric window
In Chrome or Edge, keep a compact or scrolling lyric window open while you use other apps. Its playback controls work with the same YouTube tab.
Correct the timing
Move lyrics earlier or later, fix a line or section, and loop a verse to practise. Corrections are saved for that video in your browser.
Lyrics, sources and timing controls
Open Lyrics in the YouTube player. Choose a recording in Song, adjust the delay in Timing, or use Float to open a lyric window.
Watch the controls walkthrough 22 seconds · sample data
Recorded with the actual extension controls in a development preview. The song and lyrics in this walkthrough are sample data.
Your first song
Get a match, then check two moments
Start with a recording you know. The video does not need its own lyric captions.
Follow the matching checklist- Open Lyrics. Install from your browser’s store, refresh YouTube, then open a regular song video and click Lyrics in the player.
- Choose the same recording. In Song, check the artist and title. Compare the studio, live or remix version before choosing a result.
- Listen near the start and later on. Check that the words fit at both points. A constant early or late offset can use Lyric delay; increasing drift usually needs a different recording.
No usable match? Try the clean song title and all enabled sources. Some recordings have no available lyrics. See the next steps.
Questions
Will it work when a video has no captions?
Yes, lyric lookup is independent of the video’s captions. If an enabled provider has matching lyrics, LyricLayer can show them even when the uploader has not supplied lyric subtitles. Not every recording has a match.
Can it find every song or live performance?
No. Availability, translations, word timing and accuracy vary by song and provider. Covers, remixes, live versions and edited videos can need manual selection or timing adjustments.
Which browser should I use?
Both store releases include floating lyrics, timing repair and practice controls. The versions checked on October 3, 2026 were 0.9.4 in Chrome and 0.9.3 in Edge. The store page shows the version currently available to you. Floating lyrics require Document Picture-in-Picture support, and the source YouTube tab must stay open.
What leaves my browser?
LyricLayer has no usage analytics or advertising. Enabled lyric providers receive your song or search query and normal connection information. Preferences, saved lyrics and corrections stay in local extension storage. Optional audio matching runs locally without uploading audio or using your microphone.
Install LyricLayer
Floating lyrics and timing tools are available in both store releases. Float needs Document Picture-in-Picture support.
Need a hand?
Send a video link and your browser version if a song is not matching.