What is Read Aloud?
Read Aloud is a text-to-speech tool that converts any text into spoken audio directly in your browser. It highlights each word as it's being read, helping you follow along and improve comprehension.
Whether you're proofreading your writing, learning a new language, studying, or simply resting your eyes, Read Aloud provides a natural listening experience with full control over voice, speed, and pitch.
How to Use
Enter Your Text
Type directly into the text area, paste from your clipboard using the Paste button, or click Sample Text to load an example. The word count updates automatically as you type.
Choose Your Settings
Select a voice from the dropdown menu — voices are grouped by language, with your browser's locale shown first. Adjust the Speed (0.25x to 3.0x) and Pitch (0.5 to 2.0) using the +/- buttons to find your preferred listening experience.
Start Listening
Press the Play button or use Ctrl+Enter to begin. The current word is highlighted as it's spoken, and the paragraph is subtly shaded for easy tracking. The text area locks during playback to prevent accidental edits.
Control Playback
Use the playback controls to pause, resume, or stop. Skip between sentences with the forward/backward buttons. Click anywhere on the progress bar to jump to a specific position in the text.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Ctrl+Enter
Space
Escape
←
→
Features
Word-by-Word Highlighting
As the text is read aloud, each word is highlighted in real time. The current paragraph also receives a subtle background shade, making it easy to follow along even with long passages.
Multiple Voices and Languages
Choose from all available voices on your device. Voices are organized by language, with your current locale prioritized at the top of the list. The selection includes both standard and enhanced voices when available.
Speed and Pitch Control
Fine-tune the reading experience with adjustable speed (from 0.25x to 3.0x in 0.25 steps) and pitch (from 0.5 to 2.0 in 0.1 steps). Your preferences are automatically saved for future visits.
Sentence Navigation
Skip forward or backward between sentences using the navigation buttons or arrow keys. Click on the progress bar to jump to any point in the text.
Smart Text Editor
The text area serves as both an editor and a reader. Type or paste text freely, then press Play to switch to reading mode. During playback, a single click on "Edit Text" returns you to editing mode with your text preserved.
Your Data Stays Private
All processing happens in your browser:
- No uploads — Your text never leaves your device
- No tracking — We don't collect usage data
- Works offline — Uses your browser's built-in speech engine
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are no voices available?
Voice availability depends on your browser and operating system. Most modern browsers (Chrome, Edge, Safari) come with built-in voices. If you see only "Default", try using a different browser or check your system's text-to-speech settings.
Does this work with all languages?
Read Aloud supports any language that your browser's speech synthesis engine provides. Common languages like English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, and many others are typically available. The voice dropdown shows all available options grouped by language.
Why does the voice sound different on different devices?
The tool uses your device's built-in text-to-speech engine, which varies between operating systems and browsers. Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS each provide different voice sets with varying quality levels.
Is there a text length limit?
There is no strict limit. The text is automatically split into smaller segments for reliable playback. Very long texts (thousands of words) work fine, though the estimated reading time becomes an approximation.
Are my settings saved?
Yes. Your selected voice, speed, and pitch are automatically saved in your browser's local storage and restored when you return to the tool.
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