Text to Speech

About text to speech

utilduck passes the text to the Web Speech API and does not upload it to utilduck servers. The selected browser, operating system, or installed voice decides whether synthesis is local or uses a platform service, so check that platform's privacy settings before entering sensitive text.

Speed and pitch let you slow down for clearer listening or speed up to skim through long text quickly. This is useful for proofreading writing by ear, previewing how a script sounds, or as a reading aid.

How do I use text to speech in my browser?

To hear text read aloud, type or paste it into the box, select a voice from the list your device provides, adjust speed and pitch if needed, and press play — the Web Speech API built into your browser converts the text to audio instantly. Example: pasting a paragraph and pressing play reads it back in the selected voice within a second.

Steps to convert text to speech

1. Type or paste the text you want read aloud into the text box.
2. Choose a voice from the dropdown — voices matching your page language are listed first.
3. Adjust the speed slider to slow down for clarity or speed up to skim quickly.
4. Adjust the pitch slider if you want a higher or lower-sounding voice.
5. Press play to hear the text, or stop at any time to cancel playback.

How the browser generates speech

• Available voices, quality and processing path depend on the browser, operating system, selected voice and platform settings. Processing may be on-device or use a platform service; utilduck cannot determine that path through the Web Speech API.
• Rate/Pitch = playback speed and vocal pitch, each adjustable independently of the other

Speed and pitch settings and their effect

Frequently asked questions

Why don't I see many voice options, or only one?

Available voices, quality and processing path depend on the browser, operating system, selected voice and platform settings. Processing may be on-device or use a platform service; utilduck cannot determine that path through the Web Speech API.

Is my text uploaded to a server to generate the audio?

utilduck passes the text to the Web Speech API and does not upload it to utilduck servers. The selected browser, operating system, or installed voice decides whether synthesis is local or uses a platform service, so check that platform's privacy settings before entering sensitive text.

Why does the voice sound robotic or different from voice assistants I've used?

Available voices, quality and processing path depend on the browser, operating system, selected voice and platform settings. Processing may be on-device or use a platform service; utilduck cannot determine that path through the Web Speech API.

What is text-to-speech useful for besides accessibility?

Beyond helping users with visual impairments or reading difficulties, it's commonly used to proofread writing by ear (catching awkward phrasing you might miss by eye), preview how a script or presentation will sound, or listen to long articles hands-free.

Available voices, quality and processing path depend on the browser, operating system, selected voice and platform settings. Processing may be on-device or use a platform service; utilduck cannot determine that path through the Web Speech API.

Sources: MDN — Web Speech API

Privacy and safety

• Runs in your browser — Everything you type is calculated on your own device. Your inputs are never sent to a utilduck server.
• Encrypted connection — Pages are served over HTTPS, so nobody on the network can read what you load.
• Not shared with third parties — Your inputs are not passed to analytics or advertising services.
• Nothing is stored — Results are not saved to any server, and there is no account to create.

Last updated: 2026-08-17