Convert MP3 to text in your browser
MP3 is the most common audio format in the world. Podcasts, recorded lectures, phone call recordings, audiobooks and voice notes are often saved as MP3. This free MP3 to text converter turns those files into words you can read, search, edit and share.
Unlike most online converters, we never upload your file. The speech recognition model, called Whisper, runs inside your browser on your own computer or phone. You get the convenience of an online tool with the privacy of desktop software, and you do not need to sign up or pay.
How to convert an MP3 file to text
- Add your MP3. Drag the file into the box above, or click to choose it from your device. You can also record new audio with the Record audio tab.
- Pick a setting. Choose Fast for quick drafts or Accurate for the best result.
- Press Transcribe audio. The first time, the AI model downloads to your browser. Two progress bars show the download and the transcription.
- Watch the words appear. Text shows up as each part of the MP3 is processed, so you can start reading straight away.
- Edit and export. Fix any mistakes in the text box, then copy the text or download it as a TXT file or SRT subtitles.
Features of this MP3 to text converter
- Whisper AI accuracy. The same family of speech models used by many paid transcription apps.
- No upload, no waiting in a queue. Your MP3 is processed on your device, so there is no upload time and no server queue.
- Timestamps and subtitles. Download an SRT file that lines up each sentence with the right moment in the audio.
- Editable output. Correct spellings and names before you save, right in the page.
- English focused. English trained Whisper models give more accurate English transcripts.
- Works offline after the first use. Once the model is cached, you can even convert MP3 to text without an internet connection.
Popular ways to use MP3 transcription
Podcasts
Turn podcast episodes into show notes, blog posts and quote cards. A written version also helps listeners who are deaf or hard of hearing, and gives search engines text they can index.
Lectures and classes
Convert recorded lectures to text so you can search for key terms, highlight important points and build revision notes faster than listening to the whole thing again.
Interviews and research
Journalists, students and researchers can transcribe MP3 interviews without sharing sensitive recordings with a third party service.
Videos and social media
Export the audio from your video as MP3, transcribe it here, and use the SRT file to add captions on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn.
Your MP3 stays private
Many "free" converters upload your file to their servers and keep it for an unknown time. Here, the audio is decoded and transcribed in your browser. We cannot see your recording or your transcript, because they never reach us. This makes the tool a good fit for confidential meetings, client calls and personal notes. Read our privacy policy for the full details.
Tips for better MP3 to text results
- Use the Accurate setting for anything you plan to publish. Fast is great for a quick idea of what was said.
- Trim long intros such as music before you transcribe for cleaner results.
- Higher quality helps. A 128 kbps MP3 or better gives cleaner text than a heavily compressed phone recording.
- Trim long silences and music with our online voice recorder or any audio editor before converting.
Have a different file type? Our audio to text converter handles WAV, M4A, WEBM and more, and our voice memo to text page explains how to get recordings off your phone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert an MP3 to text for free?
Drop your MP3 into the box at the top of this page and press Transcribe audio. The AI model downloads once, then your MP3 is converted to text on your own device. When it finishes you can edit the text, copy it, or download it as TXT or SRT.
Is my MP3 file uploaded anywhere?
No. The MP3 is opened and transcribed inside your browser. Only the AI model is downloaded to your device. Your audio and your transcript are never sent to our servers or to anyone else.
How long can my MP3 be?
There is no minute cap. In practice, files up to about an hour work well on most laptops and desktops. Very long files need more memory and time, so for a two or three hour recording it is best to split it into parts first.
How accurate is the MP3 to text conversion?
With clear speech, the Accurate setting gets most words right. Background music, heavy accents, crosstalk and low quality phone recordings lower accuracy. Always read through the transcript and fix names and technical terms in the text box before you download.
Can I get timestamps or subtitles from my MP3?
Yes. Press Download SRT to get a subtitle file with start and end times for each line. You can open it in any text editor, or load it into YouTube, VLC, Premiere Pro or CapCut.
Which languages are supported?
English only. The transcriber uses English trained Whisper models, which are more accurate for English speech than the multilingual versions.
Does it identify different speakers?
Not yet. The transcript is one block of text without speaker names. For interviews, you can quickly add names such as "Host:" and "Guest:" in the editable text box before downloading.
Why is the first transcription slower?
The first time you use the tool, your browser downloads the AI model. This is usually between 40 MB and 250 MB, depending on the setting and on whether your device can use its graphics card. After that it is cached, so later conversions start right away, even after you close the tab.