Productivity Tools

Speech to Text Calculator

Calculate speech-to-text word count and estimate transcription cost. Find out how many words your audio contains.

Use Speech to Text Calculator to get instant results without uploads or sign-ups. Everything runs securely in your browser for fast, reliable output.

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About this tool

Transcription services charge by the minute or word. Our Speech to Text Calculator helps estimate how many words your audio contains and what transcription will cost.

Average speaking produces 130-160 words per minute. The calculator provides word count estimates and typical transcription costs based on industry rates ($1-3 per audio minute).

Usage examples

30-Minute Interview

Podcast interview transcription

30 minutes × 150 WPM = 4,500 words, Cost: $30-90

10-Minute Video

YouTube video transcription

10 minutes × 150 WPM = 1,500 words, Cost: $10-30

How to use

  1. Enter the "Audio Duration" in minutes.
  2. Select the "Speaking Speed" (slow, normal, fast).
  3. Click "Calculate" to estimate word count.
  4. View estimated words and transcription cost.

Benefits

  • Estimate transcription cost
  • Calculate word count from audio
  • Compare service pricing
  • Plan transcription budget
  • Multiple speaking speeds
  • Industry-standard rates

FAQs

How much does transcription cost?

Professional transcription costs $1-3 per audio minute ($60-180 per hour). Automated services (Rev AI, Otter.ai) cost $0.25-0.60 per minute. Quality, turnaround time, and accuracy affect pricing.

How long does transcription take?

Manual transcription takes 4-6 hours per audio hour for experienced typists. Automated transcription is instant but requires editing (30-60 minutes per audio hour). Complex audio takes longer.

Which speech-to-text service is most accurate?

Human transcription is 99%+ accurate. AI services: Rev.com (95-99%), Otter.ai (90-95%), Google Speech-to-Text (85-90%). Accuracy depends on audio quality, accents, and technical terms.

How can I improve transcription accuracy?

For better accuracy: use good microphone, reduce background noise, speak clearly, use proper grammar, avoid overlapping speech, provide speaker labels, define technical terms, and review/edit automated transcripts.

What audio formats do transcription services accept?

Most services accept: MP3, WAV, M4A, MP4, and AAC. Some support video files (MP4, MOV, AVI). Higher quality audio (44.1kHz, 16-bit minimum) produces better transcription results.

Do I need to transcribe my podcast?

Yes, transcripts improve SEO, accessibility for deaf/hard-of-hearing listeners, content repurposing (blogs, social posts), searchability, and reach. Many podcast hosting platforms now offer automatic transcription.

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