IPA stands for the International Phonetic Alphabet. It is a set of symbols that write down the sounds of speech, one symbol per sound. Because English spelling does not match how words sound, IPA is used in dictionaries and language learning to show the real pronunciation of a word.

How do I convert text to IPA?

Type or paste your English text into the input box and click Convert to IPA. Each word is looked up and rewritten in IPA symbols. Click the copy button to copy the result, or download it as a .txt file.

How accurate is the conversion?

Pronunciations come from a dictionary of about 135,000 English words, so common text is accurate. If a word is not in the dictionary (a name, a typo, or a made-up word), the tool falls back to spelling rules and marks that word as an approximation, since English spelling is not a reliable guide to sound.

Can I hear the pronunciation?

Yes. Click the Listen button to hear your text read aloud. It uses the voice built into your browser and device, so it is free and nothing is uploaded. It reads the English words, so you hear the pronunciation the IPA describes. The button only shows if your browser supports text to speech.

Which accent does it use?

The dictionary is based on General American English, so the transcriptions match a standard American accent. A British (Received Pronunciation) transcription would differ for some words, especially the r sound and certain vowels.

What is the difference between broad and narrow?

Broad shows only the primary stress in each word, which is the simpler, more common style. Narrow also marks secondary stress. Both use the same sound symbols. Broad is usually enough for reading and learning; narrow gives more detail for longer words.

What do the marks like ˈ mean?

The vertical mark ˈ before a syllable shows primary stress, the part of the word you say with the most emphasis. In narrow style, a lower mark ˌ shows secondary stress. So ˌɪntɚˈnæʃənəl puts the main stress on the na syllable of international.

Is my text safe and private?

Your text never leaves your browser. The dictionary loads into your browser the first time you convert, and all the work happens on your device, so nothing is uploaded to a server.

Text to IPA Converter

Turn English text into its International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) spelling. Type or paste your text, pick a style, and click convert to see how each word is pronounced. Pronunciations come from a dictionary of about 135,000 words, and everything runs in your browser so your text stays on your device.

English text

IPA transcription

What is IPA?

The International Phonetic Alphabet is a set of symbols that write down the sounds of speech, one symbol per sound. English spelling is not a reliable guide to pronunciation, so the same letters can sound different from word to word. IPA fixes that by giving each sound its own symbol. It is what dictionaries use to show you how a word is really said, and it is a core tool in language learning, linguistics, and speech work.

Why use our IPA converter

·Free. No signup, no paywall, no limits.
·Dictionary based. Real pronunciations for about 135,000 words, not just spelling guesses.
·Honest about gaps. Words that are not in the dictionary are flagged as approximate.
·Runs in your browser. Nothing gets uploaded, your text stays with you.
·Two styles. Broad for primary stress, or narrow for secondary stress too.

A few examples

Here are some words that show why spelling and sound do not match. Notice how through drops most of its letters, and how the ph in phonetic is really an f sound.

Word	IPA
hello	/həˈloʊ/
through	/θɹu/
nation	/ˈneɪʃən/
colonel	/ˈkɝnəl/
phonetic	/fəˈnɛtɪk/
water	/ˈwɔtɚ/

When to use an IPA converter

Writing out pronunciation by hand is slow and easy to get wrong. Here are the most common reasons people use this tool:

·Learning a language. Check how an English word is pronounced, or add IPA to your study notes.
·Teaching. Add phonetic spelling to worksheets, slides, or vocabulary lists.
·Singing and voice work. Mark the sounds of a lyric or a script line before you perform it.
·Linguistics. Get a quick first transcription you can check and adjust by hand.

Frequently asked questions

What is IPA?: IPA stands for the International Phonetic Alphabet. It is a set of symbols that write down the sounds of speech, one symbol per sound. Because English spelling does not match how words sound, IPA is used in dictionaries and language learning to show the real pronunciation of a word.
How do I convert text to IPA?: Type or paste your English text into the input box and click Convert to IPA. Each word is looked up and rewritten in IPA symbols. Click the copy button to copy the result, or download it as a .txt file.
How accurate is the conversion?: Pronunciations come from a dictionary of about 135,000 English words, so common text is accurate. If a word is not in the dictionary (a name, a typo, or a made-up word), the tool falls back to spelling rules and marks that word as an approximation, since English spelling is not a reliable guide to sound.
Can I hear the pronunciation?: Yes. Click the Listen button to hear your text read aloud. It uses the voice built into your browser and device, so it is free and nothing is uploaded. It reads the English words, so you hear the pronunciation the IPA describes. The button only shows if your browser supports text to speech.
Which accent does it use?: The dictionary is based on General American English, so the transcriptions match a standard American accent. A British (Received Pronunciation) transcription would differ for some words, especially the r sound and certain vowels.
What is the difference between broad and narrow?: Broad shows only the primary stress in each word, which is the simpler, more common style. Narrow also marks secondary stress. Both use the same sound symbols. Broad is usually enough for reading and learning; narrow gives more detail for longer words.
What do the marks like ˈ mean?: The vertical mark ˈ before a syllable shows primary stress, the part of the word you say with the most emphasis. In narrow style, a lower mark ˌ shows secondary stress. So ˌɪntɚˈnæʃənəl puts the main stress on the na syllable of international.
Is my text safe and private?: Your text never leaves your browser. The dictionary loads into your browser the first time you convert, and all the work happens on your device, so nothing is uploaded to a server.