How to convert text to speech in 5 steps
- Paste or type your textAdd up to 2,000 characters into the text box. For a longer script, split it at natural paragraph breaks and convert each part separately.
- Choose a voiceFilter by language or country, press play on a few previews, and star the ones you like so they show up in your favorites next time.
- Fine-tune the deliveryOpen Voice Effects to nudge pitch, speed and volume. Small changes (a few steps either way) usually sound the most natural. Use the Short, Medium or Long pause buttons to add a real pause, and if your voice supports it, pick a Speaking Style such as cheerful or newscast.
- Enter the security codeType the 5-digit code shown under the button. It keeps bots out so the tool can stay free for real people.
- Generate and downloadPress Generate Audio, listen back, and save the MP3. Made several clips? Use “download all” to grab them in one ZIP file.
Who uses free text to speech, and for what
Turning written words into audio is no longer just a screen-reader feature. Here are the jobs people across the US use Speechma for every day:
- YouTube and TikTok creators who want a steady, camera-free narrator for faceless channels, list videos and product reviews. See our YouTube voiceover guide.
- Teachers and course builders turning lesson notes into audio that students can replay at home, or adding narration to slides for an e-learning module.
- Small businesses recording an after-hours phone greeting, a Shopify product video or an in-store announcement without hiring a studio.
- Writers and self-publishers proofing a manuscript by ear, or drafting sample chapters before committing to full audiobook narration.
- Anyone who learns better by listening, including people with dyslexia or low vision, who want articles and documents read aloud.
What you get with Speechma, free
1,700+ natural voices
Male and female voices, including US, UK, Australian, Canadian, Irish and Indian English accents.
HD voices
Six premium voices (Adam, Rowan, Marcus, Elliot, Felix and Orion) that sound extra natural, in English, as Multilingual voices and in about 70 other languages. Over 1,000 voice options in total.
75+ languages and locales
From Spanish and Hindi to Tagalog and Arabic, plus multilingual voices. Browse all languages.
Pitch, speed and volume
Slow a voice down for a tutorial or lift the pitch a touch for an upbeat ad.
Character AI voices
Narrator, trailer, documentary, news and storyteller styles for scripts up to 1,000 characters.
MP3 and ZIP downloads
Save each clip as an MP3 or download every result at once as a ZIP archive.
Private history
Your recent conversions are kept in your own browser, not in an account on our servers.
Free text to speech at a glance
| Feature | Speechma (free) |
|---|---|
| Characters per conversion | Up to 2,000 (character AI voices: up to 1,000) |
| Voices | 1,700+ |
| Languages and locales | 75+ |
| Controls | Pitch, speed, volume, pause tags (up to 10 seconds each) and speaking styles on supported voices |
| Download format | MP3, or all results as a ZIP |
| Sign-up | Not required |
| Commercial use | Included |
Converting long documents every day? SpeechmaPRO.com handles 10,000 characters per conversion with no captcha, no ads and no waiting. Developers can use the Speechma API.
Tips for natural-sounding AI narration
The voice engine reads exactly what you give it, so a little script prep goes a long way.
- Add real pauses where you need them. The pause buttons in Voice Effects insert
[break 1s],[break 2s]or[break 3s], and you can type your own, such as[break 500ms](up to 10 seconds each, 50 per text). Pause tags count toward the 2,000-character limit. - Let punctuation shape the rhythm. A comma gives a short breath, and periods between short sentences make a voice sound calmer and clearer.
- Spell out what should be spoken. Write “ninety-nine dollars” instead of “$99” and “Doctor Lee” instead of “Dr. Lee” when you want a specific reading.
- Write for the ear. Short sentences of 10 to 20 words are easier to follow than long, comma-heavy ones.
- Match the voice to the audience. A friendly American voice works for a how-to video; a measured British or documentary-style voice suits history content.
- Test one paragraph first. Convert a short sample, tweak speed and pitch, then run the full script with the same settings so every clip matches.
Example script for a real estate listing video: “Welcome to 42 Maple Street. This three-bedroom home sits on a quiet, tree-lined block; it’s five minutes from downtown. Let’s take a look inside!”
Want a voice that is uniquely yours?
If none of the 1,700+ voices fits your brand, describe one in words with Voice Design, or use Voice Cloning to recreate your own voice from a short sample.
Frequently asked questions
Is Speechma text to speech really free?
Can I use the audio commercially, for example on YouTube?
How do I download the MP3?
How do I convert a script longer than 2,000 characters?
Can I make a conversation with two different voices?
Which languages and accents are available?
Does it work on my phone?
Do you save my text?
Make better voiceovers, faster
- New voices and features the day they launch
- Script templates and tricks that make AI voices sound human
- Creator stories, community picks and early access
