diff --git a/src/sotoki/utils/preparation.py b/src/sotoki/utils/preparation.py
index e3e160b..c15bc4b 100644
--- a/src/sotoki/utils/preparation.py
+++ b/src/sotoki/utils/preparation.py
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ def read_sub():
             main_id = get_id_in(main_line, field_index_in_main)
 
             # write main line to dest; removing tag end (/> -> >) and CRLF
-            dsth.write(main_line[:-4])
+            dsth.write(main_line[:-3])
             dsth.write(b">")
 
             # fetch subs matching this ID (IDs are sorted so it's continuous)
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ def read_sub():
                 dsth.write(node_start)
                 # write the sub line removing the 2 heading spaces, node name (<row)
                 # removing trailing CRLF as well. node already self closed in source
-                dsth.write(current_sub[1][6:-2])
+                dsth.write(current_sub[1][4:-1])
                 current_sub = read_sub()
 
             if has_subs:
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ def split_posts_by_posttypeid(
             try:
                 # rewrite with new name replacing `  <row` and `row>`
                 fhs[found_id].write(starts[found_id])
-                fhs[found_id].write(line[6:-5])
+                fhs[found_id].write(line[4:-5])
                 fhs[found_id].write(ends[found_id])
             except KeyError:
                 continue
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ def read_csv():
             if current_csv[0] == post_id:
                 # write user line to dest; removing tag end and CRLF
                 dsth.write(b"<link")
-                dsth.write(line[6:-4])
+                dsth.write(line[4:-3])
                 # CSV title already includes appropriate quoting
                 dsth.write(b" PostName=")
                 dsth.write(current_csv[1])