Convert PDF to Audio: A Comprehensive Guide Top AI tools convert PDFs to audio, supporting multiple formats and devices for seamless workflow integration.

In today’s fast-paced world, multitasking has become the norm. Many people prefer listening to content rather than reading it, especially when they’re on the go. Whether you’re commuting, exercising, or simply relaxing, converting a PDF file to an audio file can make consuming information easier and more enjoyable. In this blog, I’ll walk you through various ways to convert a PDF document to an audio format, using a range of tools and platforms including Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS.

What is Text to Speech (TTS)?

Text to Speech (TTS) is a technology that converts written text into spoken words. It’s a crucial component in the process of converting a PDF document to an audio file. TTS engines are available on various platforms and can support multiple file formats like txt, docx, rtf, and pdf.

Why Convert PDF to Audio?

Converting a PDF to audio can enhance accessibility, allowing visually impaired individuals to “read” documents. It’s also convenient for those who prefer listening over reading, turning any PDF into an audiobook.

Tools and Platforms for Conversion

Windows

• Adobe Acrobat: This PDF reader offers basic read aloud functionality. You can select text within the PDF and use the read out loud feature.
• NaturalReader: This is a powerful TTS tool that supports multiple document formats including pdf, docx, and txt. It provides high-quality speech voices and allows for easy conversion to audio files like mp3.
• Balabolka: A free TTS tool that supports various file formats. It can convert PDF text to wav or mp3 files.

MacOS and iOS

• Apple Books: You can open a PDF in Apple Books and use the built-in speech feature to read aloud the text.
• Voice Dream Reader: A robust TTS application that can convert text from pdf, docx, pptx, and other formats into high-quality audio files.
• NaturalReader: Available for macOS and iOS, this app can convert PDFs to audio in multiple formats.

Android

• Google Play Books: Upload your PDF to Google Play Books and use the read aloud feature to listen to the text.
• @Voice Aloud Reader: This app supports reading aloud from various formats, including pdf, txt, html, and more.
• Voice Dream Reader: Also available on Android, it provides excellent TTS capabilities.

Online Tools

• Google Drive with OCR: Upload your PDF to Google Drive, use the built-in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to convert scanned documents, and then use a TTS tool to convert text to speech.
• NaturalReader Online: An online converter that supports multiple document formats and provides high-quality audio output.
• Online-convert.com: This website offers a range of conversion options, including PDF to mp3, wav, or aac.

Browser Extensions

• Chrome and Edge TTS Extensions: Both browsers have various TTS extensions available in their web stores. These can read web pages and uploaded PDFs out loud.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Convert PDF to Audio

Using Adobe Acrobat on Windows

• Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.
• Go to View > Read Out Loud > Activate Read Out Loud.
• Select the text you want to read aloud and choose Read This Page Only or Read to End of Document.

Using Google Drive and NaturalReader

• Upload your PDF to Google Drive.
• Open the PDF and enable OCR if it’s a scanned document.
• Download the converted text file and upload it to NaturalReader.
• Choose your desired voice and save the file as mp3 or wav.

Using Voice Dream Reader on iOS

• Import your PDF document into Voice Dream Reader.
• Select the text or entire document.
• Choose the speech voice and start listening.

File Formats and Considerations

Common Audio Formats

• MP3: Widely supported and compressed format.
• WAV: High-quality, uncompressed audio format.
• AAC: Similar to MP3 but offers better quality at smaller file sizes.

Document Formats Supported by TTS Tools

• PDF: Standard document format.
• TXT: Simple text file.
• DOCX: Microsoft Word document.
• RTF: Rich text format.
• HTML: Web pages.
• PPTX: Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

Important Factors

• OCR for Scanned PDFs: Use OCR to convert scanned images to text.
• Speech Voices: Choose voices that are clear and pleasant to listen to.
• High-Quality Output: Ensure the TTS tool provides high-quality audio.

Best AI Tools to Convert PDF to Audio Online

1. PlayHT: PlayHT offers an easy-to-use PDF to audio conversion service with high-quality, lifelike voices in multiple languages including English.
2. NaturalReader: NaturalReader is a powerful text-to-speech tool that converts PDFs into audio files efficiently, perfect for use on iPhone and iPad.
3. Speechify: Speechify converts PDFs to audio seamlessly and supports various devices, including iPhone and iPad, making it a versatile tool for users on the go.
4. Adobe Acrobat Reader: Adobe Acrobat Reader’s built-in read aloud feature can convert PDFs into spoken word, compatible with multiple file types.
5. Voice Dream Reader: Voice Dream Reader is a comprehensive tool that converts PDFs into audio and supports various document types, enhancing accessibility.
6. iSpeech: iSpeech offers a straightforward way to convert PDFs to audio files, with support for multiple languages and high-quality voices.
7. TTSReader: TTSReader is an online text-to-speech tool that can convert PDFs to audio for free, making it accessible and easy to use.
8. Capti Voice: Capti Voice allows users to convert PDFs and other document types into audio, providing an inclusive reading experience on multiple devices.
9. Balabolka: Balabolka is a versatile text-to-speech software that converts PDFs into audio files, supporting multiple output formats.
10. PDF to Speech: PDF to Speech is a dedicated online service for converting PDF documents into audio files quickly and easily.
11. YakiToMe: YakiToMe converts PDFs into spoken word, providing a free and easy solution for creating audio files from text documents.

Converting PDFs to audio files is a practical way to make content more accessible and convenient. Whether you use desktop software, mobile apps, or online converters, there are plenty of options to suit your needs. By following the steps and using the tools mentioned, you can easily transform your PDF documents into audiobooks or other audio formats, making it easier to consume information on the go.

If you have any questions or need further assistance with the conversion process, feel free to ask in the comments below. Happy converting!

Can I convert PDF to audio file?

Yes, you can convert a PDF to an audio file using an AI-based audio converter or PDF converter. These tools read the text in the PDF and generate a converted file in an audio format like MP3.

What is the free app that turns PDF to audio?

Natural Reader and Speechify are popular free apps that turn PDFs into audio files. These apps also support other document types like Excel, PPT, and JPG.

How to get a PDF to read aloud?

To get a PDF to read aloud, upload it to a text-to-speech tool or PDF converter that supports audio output. The tool will process the text and read it aloud, often allowing you to download the converted file in an audio format.

How to extract audio from a PDF file?

Extracting audio from a PDF file involves using a text-to-speech audio converter that can read the text and generate an audio output. Upload the PDF to the tool, and it will produce a converted file that you can save as an MP3 or other audio formats, similarly to how you would handle PNG or JPG files.