How to Do Text to Speech on TikTok

TikTok’s Text to Speech (TTS) feature has become a favorite tool among creators for adding a unique audio element to their content. This functionality converts written text into spoken words, making videos more engaging, inclusive, and accessible to a wider audience.

The growing importance of such features is reflected in the text to speech market size, which was valued at USD 2.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 2.5 billion in 2023 to USD 6.7 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.20% during the forecast period (2023 - 2032).

Whether you’re a creator who prefers to stay off camera, wants to infuse humor with voiceovers, or aims to reach multilingual viewers, TikTok's TTS feature offers numerous creative possibilities.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through how to use TikTok’s Text to Speech, provide tips for customization, and explore how you can make the most of this tool to elevate your content.

What Is TikTok’s Text to Speech Feature?

TikTok Text to Speech is an exciting built-in accessibility feature that lets creators transform text overlays into spoken words. The feature is popular among TikTokers for its entertaining and lively voice over, enhancing the dynamism and accessibility of TikTok videos.

To better understand TikTok’s Text to Speech feature, let’s look at an example:

Imagine you’re creating a fun cooking video, showing the steps to make a quick recipe. Instead of narrating it yourself, you  have created multiple text bubbles for each step, like "Chop the onions," "Add the tomatoes," and "Simmer for 10 minutes."

Using TikTok’s Text to Speech feature, an automated voice reads these text captions aloud, turning your video into an audiovisual guide. 

Not only does this make your content more engaging for viewers who prefer listening, but it also makes it accessible to people with visual impairments or those who speak different languages since you can choose from various voice options to match your audience's preferences.

How to Add Text to Speech on TikTok?

Here's a simple, step-by-step process of adding Text to Speech on TikTok:

Step 1

Open the TikTok app and get ready to either capture a fresh video or choose one of from your gallery to share.

Step 2

When your video recording is complete, simply tap on the “Text” icon located at the bottom of the app's screen. Enter the desired text here, and the system will convert it into speech.

Step 3

Once you've entered your text, press and hold the text box until a menu appears.

Step 4

From the pop-up menu, choose the "Text to Speech" option. TikTok is now set to read aloud your text!

Step 5

TikTok offers a range of voice choices. Select from a variety of voices, including male, female, or character options that perfectly match the vibe of your video.

Step 6

When you’re satisfied with the voice, preview the new saved TikTok video, make those final tweaks, and then hit publish!

Note: If you're wondering how to do TTS on TikTok, you also need to focus on ensuring that your text complements the visuals in your video. For example, if you're demonstrating a recipe, display text like "Chop the onions" right as you show the chopping action. This alignment helps reinforce the information being conveyed and keeps viewers engaged.

Customization Tips to Level Up Your TTS Experience

To personalize your experience, use TikTok's various customization options to shape the sound of your narration exactly how you envision it:

Choose the Right Voice Style

TikTok presents a diverse selection of voice styles, from robotic tones to more natural, human-like voices. Depending on the theme of your TikTok video, you can try out different options to create the perfect atmosphere.

• Choose lighthearted or exaggerated voices for comedic or entertaining content to heighten the humor and keep viewers interested.
• Use professional tones in informative or educational videos to ensure that your content is understandable.
• Experiment with character voices in creative storytelling to give your work a distinctive edge.

Synchronize Text-to-Speech Timing

Making sure your TTS narration aligns perfectly with your video content is essential for maintaining your audience's attention. If your narration doesn't sync well with the visuals, it might leave viewers feeling puzzled. 

• Match the text display with significant events in your video to emphasize the message or punchline.
• Change the text's appearance onscreen to avoid a hurried or too slow narration.

Experiment with Voice Modulation

In certain instances, TikTok provides the ability to modify pitch or tone using specific voice options. This gives you more control over the narration's sound.

• Dramatic Stories: A deeper pitch can create a more serious or impactful tone.
• Cheerful Content: A higher pitch can make the video narration feel more upbeat and engaging.
• Casual or Laid-Back Videos: A balanced, mid-tone voice keeps the delivery natural and relatable.
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Additional Tip: TikTok users love content that features trending audio clips, so incorporate popular sounds to make your videos more engaging. Pair these audio trends with relevant hashtags and your TTS elements to maximize visibility and drive higher engagement.

Wrapping Up

TikTok’s Text to Speech feature is becoming a cornerstone of modern content creation, driven by trends emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility. As creators increasingly prioritize diverse storytelling, TTS enables them to reach wider audiences—breaking language barriers and making content more relatable for everyone.

Moreover, the integration of AI voices is transforming how we perceive automated speech, with options that sound more natural and engaging than ever. This shift allows creators to experiment with different tones and styles, enhancing their narratives in innovative ways.

Murf AI offers an all-in-one text to speech platform that allows extensive voice customization to match your content perfectly. You can easily adjust tone, pitch, and pace to create natural-sounding audio that resonates with your audience.

This level of customization empowers you to elevate your storytelling and communication, ensuring your messages connect more effectively with your target audience. By adopting this approach, you can optimize how your audience perceives and engages with your content, leaving a lasting impact.