In short: To turn a document into audio, open Text to Speech and press the small file button next to the character counter (or drag the file onto the text box). Speechma reads Word (.docx), .txt, .srt, Markdown (.md), HTML and RTF files and puts the text in the box, up to 2,000 characters per conversion. Pick a voice, press Generate Audio and download an MP3. Longer files are converted in parts, or 10,000 characters at a time on SpeechmaPRO.com.
How to convert a document to audio
- Open the fileIn Text to Speech, press the file button next to the character counter (bottom right of the text box) and choose your document. Or simply drag the file from your desktop and drop it on the text box.
- Check the textThe words appear in the box, ready to edit. Remove anything you don’t want read aloud, like page numbers, a table of contents or a footer.
- Pick a voiceFilter by language and country, press play on a few voices, and choose one. Calm narration voices suit reports and study notes; brighter voices suit newsletters and scripts.
- Generate the audioType the 5-digit code and press Generate Audio. Your clip appears in the results list.
- Download MP3 or WAVPress Download for an MP3, or use the small arrow next to it to choose WAV. Results stay in your browser even if you refresh.
Which files can you open?
| File type | What Speechma reads | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Word (.docx) | The document text | Old .doc files cannot be read. In Word, use Save As and choose .docx or .txt. |
| Plain text (.txt) | Everything in the file | The simplest and most reliable option. |
| Subtitles (.srt) | Only the spoken lines | Caption numbers and time codes are skipped, so you hear just the dialogue. |
| Markdown (.md) | The text without formatting symbols | Heading marks, asterisks and backticks are removed. |
| Web page (.html) | The visible text | Tags and code are left out. |
| Rich text (.rtf) | The text without styling | Handy for files from WordPad or TextEdit. |
| Not opened directly | Open the PDF, copy the text and paste it into the box. See PDF to audio. |
Files up to 3 MB can be opened. They are read on your own device and are not uploaded.
What about long documents?
Each free conversion holds up to 2,000 characters, which is about 300 to 350 words or 2 minutes of speech. When you open a longer file, Speechma loads the first 2,000 characters and tells you how long the whole file is.
For the rest, work in parts:
- Generate part one and download it.
- Copy the next section of your document (about 2,000 characters) into the box and generate again.
- Name the files 01, 02, 03 so they stay in order, or use “download all” to grab them as one ZIP.
A full single-spaced page is usually one to two parts. If you convert long documents often, SpeechmaPRO.com converts 10,000 characters at a time, with no captcha and no ads.
What people turn into audio
Study notes
Listen to lecture notes and reading summaries on the bus or at the gym.
Work documents
Proofread a proposal by ear. Mistakes you skim past are easy to hear.
Subtitle files
Open an .srt and get a clean voiceover of the dialogue, without the time codes.
Newsletters and blog posts
Offer an audio version for readers who prefer to listen.
Stories and chapters
Draft an audiobook one chapter at a time. Our audiobook guide covers the full process.
Accessibility
Help people with dyslexia or low vision take in written material by ear.
Tips for a better listen
- Delete what you don’t want spoken. Headers, footers, page numbers and long web links sound odd read aloud.
- Turn bullet lists into sentences. Add a period at the end of each bullet so the voice pauses between items.
- Spell out symbols. Write “percent” instead of %, and “dollars” after a number, so the voice reads it the way you expect.
- Use the speed setting. Slightly slower speech helps with study material; slightly faster suits skimming a draft.
- Share it straight away. On a phone, the Share button sends the audio file to WhatsApp, Telegram or email.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a Word document to audio for free?
Open Speechma’s Text to Speech, press the file button next to the character counter and choose your .docx file (or drag it onto the text box). Pick a voice, press Generate Audio and download the MP3. It is free with no account.
Can I convert a TXT file to MP3?
Yes. Open the .txt file the same way. The text loads into the box and you can download the result as MP3, or as WAV using the arrow next to Download.
Why can’t I open my .doc file?
Only the newer .docx format can be read. Open the file in Word or Google Docs, save it as .docx or .txt, and try again.
Can I convert a PDF?
PDF files cannot be opened directly. Copy the text from the PDF and paste it into the box. Our PDF to audio page explains the easiest way.
How much text can I convert at once?
Up to 2,000 characters per conversion, which is about two minutes of speech. Longer files are done in parts, or 10,000 characters at a time on SpeechmaPRO.com.
Is my document uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read inside your browser to fill the text box. Only the text you choose to convert is sent to make the audio, and nothing is kept on our servers.
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