Last updated: March 2026
What Is Speech to Text?
Speech to Text is a free online tool that converts spoken words into written text in real time using your microphone — no signup, no download required. Speak naturally and watch your words appear on screen instantly. Copy the transcript or download it as a TXT or SRT subtitle file.
Voice-to-text technology is used by over 50% of internet users daily via phone assistants, dictation, and accessibility features. Most dedicated transcription tools require account creation or paid subscriptions. This tool uses the Web Speech API built into modern browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Safari to deliver real-time transcription at zero cost.
The tool supports 15+ languages, shows interim words as they're being recognized, includes voice commands for punctuation, and optionally adds timestamps to each paragraph for subtitle-style output. All processing happens through your browser — your audio is never stored on any server.
How to Use Speech to Text
Step 1: Select your language and microphone from the dropdowns at the top. English (US) is selected by default.
Step 2: Click "Start Listening" — allow microphone access when your browser asks. A volume meter confirms your mic is picking up sound.
Step 3: Speak clearly at a natural pace. Words appear on screen as you talk. Interim results show in real time before being finalized.
Step 4: Use voice commands — say "period," "comma," or "new paragraph" to insert punctuation hands-free.
Step 5: Edit and export. Click into the transcript to fix any recognition errors. Copy to clipboard or download as TXT. Enable timestamps for SRT subtitle export.
Key Features
Real-time transcription. Words appear as you speak, with interim results displayed before finalization. The continuous recognition mode keeps listening until you stop — no need to keep clicking a button.
15+ language support. Switch between English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, Arabic, Russian, and more. Recognition accuracy adapts to the selected language.
Voice punctuation commands. Say "period," "comma," "question mark," "new line," or "new paragraph" to insert punctuation without touching the keyboard.
Timestamps and SRT export. Enable timestamps to prepend each paragraph with an [MM:SS] marker. Export the result as an SRT subtitle file for video captioning workflows.
Editable transcript. Click into the text area at any time to manually correct recognition errors. The tool doesn't lock you out of your own transcript.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I transcribe audio to text for free?
Open this tool in Chrome or Edge, click Start Listening, and speak into your microphone. Words appear in real time. Copy or download the transcript when done. No account or payment needed.
What browsers support speech to text?
Chrome and Edge provide the best accuracy using Google's speech recognition. Safari uses on-device Siri recognition. Firefox has limited support. For best results, use Chrome on desktop.
Is my voice recorded or stored?
This tool doesn't record or store audio. In Chrome, audio is processed through Google's speech servers in real time (standard browser behavior). In Safari, recognition happens entirely on-device. No audio is saved after processing.
Can I transcribe in languages other than English?
Yes — the tool supports 15+ languages including Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, Arabic, and more. Select your language before starting.
How accurate is online speech to text?
Accuracy is typically 90-95% for clear speech in a quiet environment. Accuracy drops with background noise, heavy accents, or technical jargon. You can edit the transcript after dictation to fix any errors.