Free Speech to Text

Tap the microphone and start talking — your words appear as text instantly. Free, no sign-up, no time limit. This dictates live speech; it does not transcribe pre-recorded audio files.

Your browser doesn't support live speech recognition. Try Chrome or Edge on desktop or Android for the best support.

Tap the microphone to start

Why free live dictation instead of a paid transcription tool

Meeting-transcription services like Otter.ai and Descript charge $8-50/month because they process recorded audio on their servers, often with AI summaries and speaker identification layered on top. If you just need to dictate a note, an email, or a quick draft as you speak, your browser already has built-in speech recognition that does exactly that — free, with no subscription.

What this tool is (and isn't)

This is live dictation: talk, and your words appear as text in real time. It does not accept an uploaded audio file and transcribe it afterward — for that kind of recorded-file transcription, a dedicated paid service is genuinely a different category of tool.

Tips for better accuracy

Speak at a natural pace in a quiet environment — background noise reduces accuracy.
Select the correct language before starting.
Say punctuation explicitly if needed (e.g., "comma," "period," "new line") — recognition doesn't always add it automatically.

Frequently asked questions

Is my voice recording uploaded anywhere? Audio processing is handled by your browser's built-in speech recognition engine. This tool itself does not upload or store your recording.

Why isn't this working in my browser? Live speech recognition is best supported in Chrome and Edge. Safari and Firefox have limited or no support for this browser feature.

Can I upload an audio file to transcribe instead of speaking live? No — this tool only transcribes live speech through your microphone as you talk, not pre-recorded audio files.

Is there a time limit? No artificial limit is imposed by this tool, though your browser may pause listening after a period of silence.

How to dictate text with speech to text

Pick the language you will speak from the language list.
Tap the microphone and allow microphone access when your browser asks.
Speak clearly. Your words appear as text as you talk.
Copy the text, download it as a .txt file, or clear the box and start again.

Tips for accurate dictation

Use a quiet room and keep the microphone close, ideally a headset.
Speak at a steady pace with clear word endings rather than rushing.
Say punctuation aloud if your browser supports it, for example "comma" or "full stop".
Review the text afterwards; names, numbers and technical terms are the most common errors.

Where live dictation works best

The tool relies on the speech recognition built into your browser, which is best supported in Chrome and Edge on desktop and Android. In some browsers the recognition is performed by the browser vendor's own service, so check that browser's privacy policy if you dictate sensitive material. If dictation will not start, confirm that the microphone is allowed for the site and that no other app is using it.

Good uses for speech to text

Situation	Benefit
Drafting emails and notes	Faster than typing for many people.
Accessibility	Helps people who find typing difficult or painful.
Brainstorming	Capture ideas as they come, then edit later.
Language practice	Check whether your pronunciation is understood.