A private, browser-based speech to text tool
Converting spoken words into written text used to require expensive software or sending your media files to third-party cloud servers. This speech to text tool changes that by bringing powerful AI transcription directly to your web browser. Whether you need to transcribe audio from a lecture, generate meeting notes, or convert video to text for subtitles, you can do it instantly and securely.
Because the AI model runs locally on your device, this is a completely private and audio transcription free solution. Your media files are never uploaded, stored, or analyzed by external servers, making it perfectly safe for confidential interviews, unreleased podcasts, or private personal recordings.
Key features and capabilities
Audio and video support. You don't need to convert your files before using the tool. It accepts standard audio formats like MP3, WAV, M4A, and OGG, as well as video formats including MP4, WebM, and MOV. The tool automatically extracts the audio track from videos behind the scenes.
Export to plain text or subtitles. Once your file is processed, you can copy the raw text to your clipboard or download it as a .txt file. If you need timestamps, the tool generates standard .srt and .vtt subtitle files, which can be imported directly into video editors or media players.
Built-in translation. The AI model powering this tool doesn't just transcribe; it can also translate. If you have an audio file in a supported language (such as Spanish, French, Japanese, or German) and you want the text in English, simply check the "Translate" option before you start.
Selectable AI models. You can choose between two model sizes depending on your needs. The "Tiny" model is highly efficient, downloading quickly and running fast even on older hardware. The "Base" model is slightly larger and slower, but offers noticeably better accuracy for challenging audio.
Common ways to use audio to text
Journalism and research. Transcribing interviews manually is one of the most time-consuming parts of writing an article or research paper. By running your recordings through an automated tool, you get a highly accurate draft in minutes, allowing you to focus on editing and extracting quotes rather than typing out every word.
Content creation and accessibility. If you publish videos online or on social media, adding accurate captions is essential for accessibility and viewer retention. Use this tool to transcribe your video, download the .srt file, and upload it alongside your content.
Meeting minutes and lectures. Instead of scrambling to take notes during a fast-paced lecture or an important business meeting, you can record the session and transcribe audio later. This ensures you have a complete, searchable record of everything that was said.
How local AI transcription works
This tool is powered by Whisper, an advanced open-source automatic speech recognition system. Traditionally, running models like Whisper required a high-end graphics card and complex Python environments. However, this tool uses Transformers.js to run the model directly inside your browser.
When you click "Start" for the first time, your browser downloads the model files (ranging from roughly 40 to 75 megabytes, depending on whether you chose Tiny or Base). These files are securely cached in your browser. For the actual processing, the tool leverages WebGPU (or WebAssembly on older devices) to utilize your device's own hardware for the heavy lifting.
Because all the decoding and transcribing happens in your device's memory, the only limit on the length of the file you can process is the available RAM on your computer or phone.
Tips for the best transcription results
- Ensure clear audio. AI models perform best when the speech is clear and background noise is minimal. If you are recording a voice memo specifically for transcription, hold the microphone close and speak clearly.
- Set the language manually. While the "Auto-detect" feature is convenient, explicitly selecting the spoken language from the dropdown menu can improve accuracy, as the model doesn't have to spend processing power guessing the language from the first few seconds of audio.
- Use the right model. If your audio has multiple speakers, heavy accents, or background hum, always opt for the "Base" model. Reserve the "Tiny" model for very clear, studio-quality voice recordings or when you are in a hurry.
- Prepare your files. If you need to record a quick memo before transcribing, you can use our Voice Recorder. If you have a massive video file and only want to keep the audio portion for your archives, try the Video to MP3 converter first.