Text-to-speech reads words aloud on your screen

Text-to-speech is a built-in feature on most devices that speaks the text you see — whether that's an email, a web page, a document, or a menu. You don't need to install anything. The feature lives in your device's accessibility settings, and turning it on takes less than a minute. Where you find it and what it's called depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Android.

Once enabled, text-to-speech works across most apps and websites. You can usually adjust the speed of the voice, choose between male and female voices, and select which text you want read aloud. Some devices let you highlight a word or sentence and have just that part spoken; others read an entire page or document at your command.

Key Takeaways

  • Text-to-speech is built into Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android — you turn it on in accessibility settings, not by downloading software.
  • On Windows 10 and 11, the feature is called Narrator; on Mac it's called Speak Selection or Speak Screen; on iPhones and iPads it's called Speak Screen or Select to Speak.
  • After you turn on text-to-speech, you can usually adjust voice speed, choose a different voice, and control which text gets read aloud.
  • Text-to-speech works in most apps and web browsers, though some websites or apps may not support it fully.

How to enable text-to-speech on Windows 10 and 11

Windows calls its text-to-speech feature Narrator. To turn it on, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click Settings when it appears. Go to Accessibility on the left side, then click Vision. Under the "Narrator" heading, toggle the switch to On.

Once Narrator is on, you can use it right away. To hear text read aloud, select the words you want to hear, then press Narrator key + H (the Narrator key is usually Caps Lock or Insert, depending on your keyboard). You can also open Narrator settings to change the voice speed, choose a different voice, or adjust other options. Look for "Narrator settings" in the same Vision menu where you turned it on.

How to enable text-to-speech on Mac

Mac has two text-to-speech features: Speak Selection (which reads text you highlight) and Speak Screen (which reads an entire page or document). To turn on Speak Selection, go to System Settings, click Accessibility on the left, then click Spoken Content. Check the box next to "Speak selection." You can also set a keyboard shortcut here — the default is Option + Esc.

To use Speak Selection, highlight the text you want to hear and press your keyboard shortcut. If you want Mac to read an entire page or document instead, turn on Speak Screen in the same Spoken Content menu. Once it's on, press Option + Esc to start reading from the beginning, or press it again to pause. You can adjust voice speed and choose a different voice in the same Spoken Content settings.

How to enable text-to-speech on iPhone and iPad

iPhones and iPads have Speak Screen, which reads an entire page or document aloud. To turn it on, go to Settings, tap Accessibility, then tap Spoken Content. Toggle on Speak Screen. You can also set a keyboard shortcut or gesture to start reading — by default, you swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen.

Once Speak Screen is on, open any app or web page and use your gesture or shortcut to start reading. A playback bar appears at the top showing which word is being read. You can pause, resume, or skip forward and backward through the text. In the same Spoken Content settings, you can change the voice speed, choose a male or female voice, and adjust other options like highlighting words as they're read.

How to enable text-to-speech on Android

Android calls its text-to-speech feature Select to Speak (on newer devices) or TalkBack (a more comprehensive screen reader). For Select to Speak, go to Settings, tap Accessibility, then tap Select to Speak. Toggle it on. Once it's enabled, tap the text you want to hear and it will be read aloud.

If you want a more powerful option that reads your entire screen, you can turn on TalkBack instead. Go to Settings, tap Accessibility, then tap TalkBack and toggle it on. TalkBack reads everything on your screen and lets you navigate by touch. Both features can be adjusted in their settings — you can change voice speed, choose a different voice, and control other options.

Adjusting speed, voice, and other settings

After you turn on text-to-speech, you'll usually want to adjust how fast it speaks. Most devices let you slow down or speed up the voice in the same accessibility menu where you turned the feature on. Windows Narrator, Mac Spoken Content, iPhone Speak Screen, and Android Select to Speak all have speed sliders.

You can also choose between different voices — most devices offer at least a male and female voice, and some offer multiple accents or languages. Some devices let you preview a voice before you commit to it. If the default voice sounds robotic or hard to understand, try a different one; voice quality varies by device and operating system, and you may find one that works better for you.

Text-to-speech on websites and in apps

Text-to-speech works in most web browsers and apps, but not everywhere. Some websites are built in a way that makes it hard for text-to-speech to read the content properly — for example, if text is embedded in an image instead of written as actual text. Most news sites, email apps, and document readers work well with text-to-speech.

If text-to-speech isn't working in a particular app or website, try a different browser or check whether the app has its own built-in reading feature. Some apps like Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play Books have their own text-to-speech options that may work better than your device's system-wide feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does text-to-speech work offline?

Yes. Text-to-speech is built into your device and doesn't need an internet connection to work. You can use it on documents, emails, and apps whether you're online or offline.

Can I use text-to-speech while doing other things?

Yes. Once text-to-speech starts reading, you can use other apps or lock your screen and the reading will continue. You can pause and resume whenever you want.

What if the voice sounds strange or robotic?

Try changing the voice in your accessibility settings. Most devices offer multiple voice options, and newer voices often sound more natural than older ones. You can also adjust the speed — sometimes a slower speed sounds clearer.

Does text-to-speech work in all apps?

Most apps work with text-to-speech, but some don't. Apps that display text as actual text (not images) work best. If it's not working in a specific app, check whether that app has its own reading feature built in.

Can I choose a different language for text-to-speech?

Yes, if your device has that language installed. Go to your text-to-speech settings and look for language options. You may need to download additional language packs depending on your device.