How to Turn Text to Voice on Mac: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Discover how to turn written words into clear speech with Mac text to voice. It's perfect for reading emails, notes, or articles hands-free. Additionally, to add voiceovers to videos or easily convert text to speech, use CapCut Web

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mac text to voice
CapCut
CapCut
Jul 23, 2025
10 min(s)

Changing Mac text to voice can help you listen to text instead of reading it. This is useful for students, busy users, or anyone with reading difficulties. But setting it up isn't always easy. Many users are unsure where to find the settings, how to activate the feature, or how to select a voice that sounds natural. Speed and clarity can also be an issue if not adjusted.

In this article, you'll explore the process of how to turn Mac text to voice, so you can use it in a clear, simple way.

Table of content
  1. Unique ways to turn text to speech on MacBook
  2. How to turn text to speech on Macbook
  3. How to enable text to voice on Mac
  4. Tips to effectively convert text to voice on Mac
  5. An efficient way to transform text to speech in videos: CapCut Web
  6. Conclusion
  7. FAQs

Unique ways to turn text to speech on MacBook

Looking for unique ways to use Mac text-to-speech features beyond the basics? Here are some creative options that go beyond the basic settings to help you make the most of this handy feature.

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  1. Use Siri for quick reads

You can ask Siri to read selected text aloud instantly, making it a fast and easy way to hear important information without opening additional apps. This is a handy feature for quick updates or messages using Mac OS text-to-speech capabilities.

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  1. Automate with the shortcuts app

The Shortcuts app lets you create custom automation to convert text to speech with just a tap or voice command. You can set it up to read articles, emails, or any selected text, saving time and making multitasking easier.

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  1. Read webpages aloud on Safari

Safari offers a built-in option to read webpages aloud, which is perfect for multitasking or reducing eye strain. Simply highlight the text and choose the speech option to let macOS text-to-speech read articles or emails for you.

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  1. Convert PDFs to audio files

Using built-in or third-party tools, you can turn entire PDF documents into audio files. This method lets you listen to books, reports, or manuals on the go, taking full advantage of Mac text-to-speech functionality for greater accessibility.

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  1. Create voiceovers with CapCut Web

CapCut Web offers a simple way to generate high-quality voiceovers for your videos using text-to-speech technology. This tool is perfect for adding narration or commentary without needing to record your own voice, streamlining your editing process.

How to turn text to speech on Macbook

Turning text to speech on your MacBook is a simple way to listen to written content instead of reading it. With just a few clicks, you can activate macOS's built-in text-to-speech feature and start enjoying hands-free audio. Here is how to do it:

    STEP 1
  1. Open the system settings

Click the "Apple" icon in the top-left interface of your screen. Choose "System Settings" (or System Preferences on older Mac versions). Now, scroll down and click on "Accessibility". This is where tools for reading, seeing, and hearing are found.

Opening the system settings to enable text to speech on Mac
    STEP 2
  1. Select the "Spoken Content" option

In the "Accessibility" menu, click on "Spoken Content." Then, find the "Speak Selection" toggle and turn it on. This enables your Mac to read aloud any selected text using a shortcut key.

Selecting the spoken content for enabling Mac text to voice
    STEP 3
  1. Highlight text and press the shortcut key

After turning it on, go to any app, like Safari or Notes. Highlight the words you want to hear. Press the shortcut key shown in the settings. Your Mac will start reading the words out loud. To stop it, press the key again.

Pressing the shortcut key to enable text to voice on Mac

How to enable text to voice on Mac

Enabling text-to-voice on your Mac lets you listen to written content easily and hands-free. With a few simple steps, you can activate this helpful feature to improve accessibility and multitasking. Here's how to use text-to-speech on Mac to make your device read text aloud whenever you need:

    STEP 1
  1. Open Accessibility settings

Click the Apple menu, then select "System Preferences" (or "System Settings" on the latest macOS). In the window that opens, click "Accessibility" from the list.

Selecting system preferences to enable text to voice on Mac
    STEP 2
  1. Enable "Speak Announcements"

In "Accessibility," select "Spoken Content" from the left menu. Turn on "Speak Announcements" and check "Speak Selected Text when Key is Pressed" to let your Mac read highlighted text aloud.

Enabling the text-to-speech Mac keyboard shortcut
    STEP 3
  1. Adjust the "Speaking Rate"

Under the same menu, you'll see a slider called "Speaking Rate." Move it left for slow or right for fast. Pick the speed that sounds right to you. You can also click Voice to pick how your Mac sounds when it speaks.

Adjusting the Mac text-to-voice rate

Tips to effectively convert text to voice on Mac

To get the best results when converting text to voice on your Mac, it's important to follow some simple yet effective tips. These will help ensure your audio sounds clear, natural, and easy to understand using macOS text-to-speech.

  • Enable text-to-speech

Make sure text-to-speech is turned on in your Mac's Accessibility settings to start using this feature. Activating it allows you to listen to selected text anytime, improving multitasking and accessibility.

  • Choose a natural voice

Select from the best Mac text-to-speech voices online or built-in options that sound clear and pleasant. A natural-sounding voice makes listening easier and more enjoyable, enhancing the overall experience.

  • Adjust the speaking rate

Use the speaking rate slider to set a comfortable speed for the speech. Slowing it down can improve comprehension, while speeding it up saves time when listening to longer texts.

  • Use keyboard shortcuts

Learn and customize keyboard shortcuts to quickly activate text-to-speech without interrupting your workflow. This makes it convenient to hear text read aloud whenever you need it.

  • Test with different content

Try converting various types of text, emails, articles, or PDFs, to find the best voice and speed settings for your needs. Whether you're using text-to-speech for MacBook Pro or other Mac models, testing helps you fine-tune the experience for different reading materials.

While Mac's built-in text-to-speech tools offer great convenience for reading and multitasking, they can sometimes feel limited, especially if you're working on multimedia projects that need more advanced audio customization.

For creating polished videos with natural-sounding narration, using a versatile text-to-speech tool like the one in CapCut Web can make a big difference. It lets you easily generate high-quality voiceovers that blend seamlessly with your visuals, giving your content a professional edge.

An efficient way to transform text to speech in videos: CapCut Web

CapCut Web provides an efficient solution to transform text into natural-sounding speech for your videos. With its AI-powered text-to-speech feature, you can create clear and lifelike narration effortlessly. Additionally, CapCut Web helps you auto-generate accurate video captions and remove background noise with ease, making it a perfect tool for producing professional and engaging multimedia content directly in your browser.

The interface of CapCut Web - the best tool for changing text to speech

Key features

  • Transform text into lifelike speech

You can turn typed text into a human-like voice using CapCut Web's AI text-to-voice tool. This produces natural voice-overs without needing to record anything.

  • Multilingual audio options

Generate voiceovers in 13 different languages, including French, Spanish, and Portuguese, to ensure your content connects with global audiences.

  • Adjustable voice pitch control

Easily modify the pitch of any voice using built-in settings—perfect for matching the tone to various emotions, scenes, or character types.

  • Extensive selection of AI voice styles

Pick from a wide variety of 233 AI voices, ranging from lively and cheerful to calm and serious, to perfectly match your content's vibe.

  • Export in premium audio and subtitle formats

Download high-quality voiceovers and accurate subtitles with ease—ideal for content translation, video production, and multi-platform publishing.

How to turn text to voice in videos on CapCut Web

To get started, go to the official site of CapCut Web by clicking the button below. Sign in using your Google, Facebook, or TikTok account, or simply scan the QR code from the CapCut mobile app. After that, follow these steps:

    STEP 1
  1. Upload your video

After logging in, navigate to the left-hand menu and click on "AI tools." From the list of features, select "Text to speech" to get started.

Creating a new project on the CapCut web
    STEP 2
  1. Convert text to voice

Manually enter your script or let the AI help you generate one. Then, pick from various voice options and customize them using filters like gender or age. Preview a short 5-second sample before hitting "Generate" to produce your final voiceover.

Converting your text into speech
    STEP 3
  1. Export and share

When your audio is ready, click "Download" and choose between "Audio only" or "Audio with captions." Your file will then be saved to your device, ready for editing or sharing.

Exporting your video from CapCut Web

Conclusion

To summarize, Mac text to voice is a smart way to hear written words. It helps you listen to emails, notes, or web pages. You can pick voices, change how fast they speak, and use shortcut keys. It's easy to use and good for learning or saving time.

For an efficient and powerful experience, try using CapCut Web. It's easy-to-use text-to-speech tool lets you bring your videos to life with a variety of voices and languages. Give it a try and elevate your content today!

FAQs

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  1. How do I enable Mac text to voice in system settings?

To turn on Mac text to voice, go to "System Settings", click "Accessibility," then choose "Spoken Content." Turn on "Speak Selection" so your Mac can read words out loud. You can also pick a voice and change how fast it talks. For turning text into speech in videos, you can use CapCut Web. It works in your browser and lets you type words and have them spoken in your clips without needing a mic.

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  1. Can Mac text to voice read selected text only?

Yes, Mac text to voice feature allows you to highlight and read aloud selected text, making it easy to focus on specific sections without reading the entire document. This helps with proofreading or listening to important parts quickly. For more advanced voice customization and seamless video integration, consider using CapCut Web's text-to-speech tools.

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  1. How can I change the voice used in Mac text to voice?

You can change the voice by going to "System Preferences" > "Accessibility" > "Spoken Content," then selecting a different voice from the available options. Mac offers various voices with different accents and tones to suit your preference. For even more voice options and easy syncing with your videos, try CapCut Web's text-to-speech feature, which provides diverse voice styles perfect for video projects.