How to Convert Text to Audio for Free

You can convert text to audio with a built-in document reader or a dedicated text-to-speech tool. For longer material, compare playback controls, playlists, and background listening alongside voice quality. Also check whether you need spoken playback or a downloadable audio file—they are different features.

SayTXT — for playlists and background listening

SayTXT offers iOS and Android apps for listening to text and supported documents, with playlists and background playback. It is available on the App Store and Google Play.

1. Paste your text or import a supported file.
2. Once processing finishes, playback starts automatically using the default settings. You can change the voice and adjust the reading speed while listening.
3. Content you have played is automatically added to your playlist. To control what plays next, open an item’s three-dot menu on the Home screen and choose Play next or Add to Queue.
4. To save the narration, return to the Home screen, tap the three-dot menu beside the relevant item, and select Download Audio.

If you only want to listen, playback can continue while you use other apps or lock the screen without downloading the audio first.

Microsoft Word — useful if your text is already in a document

Word’s Read Aloud feature reads document text aloud without generating a separate audio file.

1. Open your document in Word.
2. Place the cursor where you want reading to begin.
3. Select Review → Read Aloud in a supported version.
4. Use the playback controls to pause, move between paragraphs, and adjust the reading speed.

This is convenient if you already have access to Word. However, Read Aloud does not itself create downloadable audio, and available controls vary between versions. Microsoft explains the supported workflows in its Read Aloud guide.

NaturalReader — an option for pasted text and uploaded documents

1. Lets you listen to text using a selection of voices.
2. Open the online reader and paste your text or upload a supported document.
3. Choose an available voice that matches the text’s language.
4. Adjust the reading speed and play a short sample.

Continue listening once you are comfortable with the pronunciation and pace.

Check the selected voice’s free-use allowance and your plan’s download options. Listening access and audio downloads can have different restrictions, so confirm both if you need to save the narration.