What Is Text-to-Speech Reading and How to Use It in Chrome

Text-to-speech reads written text out loud with a computer voice. It helps people with dyslexia, ADHD or low vision, and anyone who wants to listen while doing something else or rest their eyes. Chrome has it built in.

Chrome's Read aloud

1. Right-click a page → Open in reading mode.
2. In the side panel, press the play button.
3. Choose the voice and speed, and follow along as each word is highlighted.

Reading mode also lets you change the font, size, spacing and colors, which makes reading along easier.

On a phone

Chrome on Android has Listen to this page in the menu for many articles, which keeps playing in the background with playback controls. On iPhone, turn on Speak Screen in Settings → Accessibility → Spoken Content, then swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen.

System tools

• Mac: turn on Speak Selection in System Settings → Accessibility → Spoken Content, then select text and press Option + Esc.
• ChromeOS: Select-to-speak, in Accessibility settings, reads any text you select.
• Windows: Narrator is a full screen reader. For simple read-aloud, Chrome's Reading mode or Edge's Read aloud is easier.

The voices you can choose depend on your system. On Windows, you can add more voices and languages in Settings → Time & language → Speech. On a Mac, add them under Spoken Content → System voice → Manage Voices.

Extensions

Extensions such as Read Aloud, NaturalReader and Speechify read pages and selected text, some with more natural voices. Check what they send to their servers; some process text online.

When listening helps

• Reading and listening together: many people with ADHD or dyslexia stay on track better. See audio vs reading for ADHD.
• Tired eyes: listen to long articles instead of reading them.
• Proofreading: hearing your own writing reveals awkward sentences and typos.
• Learning languages: hear how words are pronounced.

Tips

• Start at normal speed, then speed up gradually; many people get comfortable at 1.25 to 1.5 times.
• Try several voices; a voice you like makes a big difference.
• Use headphones in shared spaces.

Other reading aids

ADHD Reading Focus shows one paragraph at a time in larger text. It doesn't read aloud, but pairs well with listening in a second window. See Chrome accessibility features.