How to use the Speech to Text
- Choose the language you will speak, including your regional variant if it is listed.
- Click Start dictation and allow microphone access when your browser asks.
- Speak naturally in short phrases. Gray text is a draft that firms up as you pause; say “comma”, “period” or “new line” for punctuation in English.
- Click Stop dictation, edit the text if needed, then copy or download it.
Features
- Live dictation with draft results shown as you speak
- Over 50 languages and regional variants
- Spoken punctuation and line breaks in English
- Automatic capitals at the start of sentences
- Keeps listening through pauses until you press Stop
- Editable transcript that is saved on this device
How browser dictation works
This tool uses the speech recognition part of the Web Speech API. When you press Start, your browser opens the microphone and streams the audio to its speech recognition service, which sends back text. Draft results arrive while you are still talking and are shown in gray; when you pause, the service settles on a final version and it is added to the transcript. Recognition runs continuously, and if the browser ends a session after a long silence, the tool starts a new one until you press Stop.
Privacy: where your voice goes
Unlike most tools on this site, speech recognition does not run entirely on your device. Most browsers send the audio to an online service run by their maker; in Chrome, that is Google’s speech service. That is why this page is marked as using live data and why it needs an internet connection. ToolsWorld does not receive, record or store your audio or the text. If you are dictating something confidential, consider whether you are comfortable with your browser’s provider processing it.
You can withdraw microphone permission at any time from the site settings, usually opened from the icon at the left of the address bar.
Browser support
| Browser | Dictation |
|---|---|
| Chrome (desktop and Android) | Supported |
| Microsoft Edge | Supported |
| Safari (Mac, iPhone and iPad) | Supported in recent versions |
| Firefox | Not supported |
| Other Chromium-based browsers | Varies; some disable the speech service |
Spoken punctuation
Most recognition services return words without much punctuation. When the language is English and the option is on, you can say these commands:
| Say | You get |
|---|---|
| “period” or “full stop” | . |
| “comma” | , |
| “question mark” | ? |
| “exclamation mark” | ! |
| “colon” / “semicolon” | : / ; |
| “new line” / “new paragraph” | A line break / a blank line |
If you actually need the word “comma” in your text, untick the option for that part.
Tips for better accuracy
- Pick the right regional language. English (India) or English (United Kingdom) recognizes those accents better than the US setting.
- Use a headset or earbuds with a microphone and keep background noise down.
- Speak in complete phrases at a steady pace rather than word by word.
- Proofread names, numbers and technical terms, which recognizers most often get wrong.
This tool transcribes live speech from your microphone. It cannot open audio or video files. To hear text read back to you instead, use Text to Speech, and if the microphone does not respond, check it with the Mic Test.
Frequently asked questions
Why does speech to text not work in Firefox?
Firefox does not include the speech recognition part of the Web Speech API. Open the page in Chrome, Edge or Safari instead.
Is my voice recorded or stored?
ToolsWorld never receives or stores your audio or text. Your browser usually sends the audio to its maker’s speech service to recognize it, which is why an internet connection is needed.
Can I transcribe an audio or video file?
No. Browser speech recognition only listens to a live microphone, so this tool cannot open recordings.
How do I add punctuation?
In English, say “comma”, “period”, “question mark” or “new line” while dictating. In other languages, add punctuation by editing the transcript.
Why did it stop listening?
Browsers end recognition after silence or a network problem. The tool restarts automatically while dictation is on; if it stops with a message, follow the advice shown and click Start again.