Text & writing / TOOLKIT
Text to Speech
Listen using available browser voices. MP3 download uses an external speech service.
Voice availability depends on your browser. MP3 download sends text to an external service.
Download MP3 sends the first 200 characters of your text through our server to Google's speech service. A network connection is required; text after that limit is not included in the file.
How to use
- Type or paste the text you want to hear.
- Pick a voice and adjust speed, pitch and volume.
- Press Speak - Pause, Resume and Stop give you full control.
- To keep an audio file, choose a language and press Download MP3 - the file saves to your device.
Convert text to natural-sounding speech and download as audio. Useful for accessibility, language learning, creating voiceovers, or listening to long articles. Multiple voices and speeds available.
Use cases
1. Use case: Listen while multitasking Paste a long article and play it aloud while commuting, cooking or exercising.
2. Use case: Practice pronunciation Type a word or sentence and hear it read in the selected language to practice listening skills.
Practical tips
Available voices depend on your browser and operating system, so the voice list differs between machines — pick a voice before judging the result. Rate and pitch adjust independently; slower rates help with proofreading by ear, which is one of the tool's best uses. Browser playback uses the voices available on your device; for accessibility reading of long documents, break the text into sections rather than one giant block. If a language sounds wrong, the selected voice does not support it. Playback availability and offline support depend on the selected voice and browser; some voices may use an online service. The Download MP3 button sends the text (up to about 200 characters) to an online speech service to render the audio file, so that button needs a network connection and the text leaves your device. For sensitive text, use a verified local voice or an offline application. See the privacy policy for the full list of third-party services.
Common mistakes
The tool is only as good as its setup:
- Judging the voice before selecting one — the list depends on your browser and OS, and the default is rarely the best.
- Feeding one giant block of text; break long documents into sections for natural pacing and easier navigation.
- Using a voice that does not support the text's language, which produces confident-sounding nonsense.
- Setting the rate too fast for proofreading by ear, which is one of the tool's most useful but least used modes.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Text To Speech send my data anywhere?
MP3 download sends up to 200 characters to an external speech service. Browser playback depends on the selected voice; online voices may also require a network connection.