How to use a text-to-speech app (a beginner's guide)

Ever wished you could press play on an article, PDF, or ebook instead of finding time to sit down and read it?

That's exactly what a text-to-speech app lets you do. All you have to do is upload a file you've been meaning to read, pick a voice, and listen while you get on with your day.

If you've never tried one before, you're in the right place! Here's how to use a text-to-speech app in six easy steps, with ElevenReader as our example. We've also included a few tips to make your first listen a little smoother.

Summary

• A text-to-speech app reads PDFs, ebooks, articles, and pasted text aloud, helping you fit more reading into your day.
• Start by choosing an app that supports your device and the files or articles you want to hear.
• Make sure to test a short passage first so you can check the imported text and get a feel for the narration quality.
• With ElevenReader, you get 10 hours of free listening per month, plus a choice of more than 1,000 AI voices to find a narrator you enjoy. 

What is a text-to-speech app?

A text-to-speech app is an app for your phone, tablet, or computer that turns written words into spoken audio. So instead of reading every sentence on screen, you can listen to a voice narrate the content for you.

Depending on the app, that content might be a PDF, an ebook, a webpage, or text you've copied and pasted. Some apps also use optical character recognition technology (OCR) to identify words in photos and scanned pages.

A note on text-to-speech narration quality 

If you've been burned by text-to-speech apps before and couldn't get past a few pages of robotic narration, you might be surprised by how natural some AI voices sound today.

For example, at ElevenReader, we've worked hard to make our AI voices sound as natural as possible, with smoother pacing, varied intonation, and well-placed pauses.

That difference becomes especially noticeable when you're listening to a whole chapter or a lengthy PDF. That's why we always recommend trying a few narrators first before committing to a paid app or plan, as a voice that sounds great in a short preview might not suit a longer listening session.

How to use a text-to-speech app in 6 easy steps

Getting started with a text-to-speech app is usually pretty simple. Add something you want to read, choose a voice you like, and press play. Each app works a little differently, but those are the basics!

Let's walk through the basics of how to use a text-to-speech app together using ElevenReader as an example.

1. Choose your app and create an account

Before downloading an app, think about what you want it to read.

If you've got a folder full of PDFs, check that it supports PDF imports. For ebooks, look for EPUB support. If you're mostly catching up on online articles, a link-import option will make life easier.

It's also worth checking:

• Device support: Can you use it on your phone, computer, or both?
• Voice options: Can you preview the voices before committing to a longer listen?
• Free allowance: How much listening can you try without paying?
• Offline access: Can you save content for journeys with patchy service?

With ElevenReader, you can get started on our website or download the app for iOS or Android. Follow the sign-up prompts to create your account.

ElevenReader's free plan includes ten hours of text-to-audio each month and access to more than 1,000 natural AI voices. That's plenty of time to try a few documents and experiment with different voices. 

2. Add something you want to listen to

Start with something short, such as an article or a few paragraphs of notes. You'll get a feel for the app without having to work through an entire reading first.

With ElevenReader, you can type or paste text directly into the app, or paste an article link to import something you've found online. If you've already saved a document, use the file-upload option to add a supported PDF, EPUB, or TXT file.

Once the content has been imported, take a quick look at the text. Check that the opening sentences are there and that the words appear in the right order, especially if you're using a scan or a document with several columns.

3. Choose a voice you enjoy

Now for the fun part: picking your narrator.

Open the voice selection options and preview a few voices. You might prefer a warm voice for a novel, a clear, steady delivery for study notes, or an accent that feels familiar.

Try your shortlist with a paragraph of your own content. A voice that sounds great in a short sample may feel different when it's reading a technical report or a page of dialogue.

There's no need to get the choice perfect on your first attempt. You can try another narrator if the first one doesn't suit what you're listening to.

4. Press play and adjust the speed

Once your content and voice are ready, press play.

Start at the normal playback speed so you can hear how the narration handles sentences, pauses, and unfamiliar words. Then adjust the speed until it feels comfortable.

For a familiar article, you might enjoy a slightly faster pace. For a research paper packed with new terms, slowing down can give you more time to take it in.

ElevenReader supports playback speeds of up to 4.0x, but there's no prize for choosing the fastest setting. The useful speed is the one that lets you follow what you're hearing.

5. Save your place and continue later

You don't have to finish everything in one sitting.

ElevenReader's follow-along highlighting tracks the words as the audio plays, making it easy to glance at the screen when you want to check a phrase. Bookmarks help you return to sections you'd like to hear again.

Those features are particularly handy for study notes or work documents. Bookmark a definition, an important explanation, or a passage you want to discuss later.

ElevenReader also syncs your library and listening progress between the web and mobile apps, so you can sign in with the same account and continue listening on another device.

6. Download for offline listening, if your plan supports it

If you're planning to listen on a flight or a train journey with unreliable signal, some apps allow you to download your content ahead of time while you still have an internet connection.

For example, ElevenReader's Ultra plan includes offline listening in the mobile apps. All you have to do is open whatever you'd like to listen to and select the download option. Depending on the content, you can save individual sections or the full text; just make sure to give the download time to finish before heading out. 

One thing to keep in mind is that these downloads stay inside ElevenReader. They let you listen offline in the app, but they don't create a separate MP3 or WAV file you can open in another player.

Tips for a better listening experience

Once you've got the basics down, a few small adjustments can make longer listening sessions easier.

Test a short section first

Before settling into a long document, listen to the opening paragraphs. You'll quickly notice if the voice, speed, or imported text needs adjusting.

It's much easier to catch repeated page numbers at the start than halfway through a chapter!

Check scanned text before listening

OCR can help an app read printed pages, but the quality of the scan makes a difference.

Use a clear image with even lighting and keep the page as flat as possible. Then check for missing words, unusual characters, or sentences that don't make sense before listening.

Keep visual information nearby

Tables, charts, and diagrams don't always translate neatly into spoken narration. A list of numbers may be technically correct but difficult to follow without seeing the table.

For documents with lots of visual information, keep the original open so you can pause and check it when needed.

Match your listening to the task

A novel can be great company while you're folding laundry, but a complicated report may need your full attention.

If you're repeatedly losing track, try a slower speed or listen while following the text on screen. You might also find it easier to listen in shorter sessions, taking a break at the end of each section.

What if your text-to-speech app isn't reading properly? 

If your first listen doesn't go quite to plan, don't worry. Here are a few common problems and simple fixes to try.