How do speech-to-text tools work?

Though the specifics vary across different speech-to-text tools, they all follow the same general process:

The sound waves generated from a voice are recorded using a microphone and converted into digital signals a computer can understand.
These digital signals are processed to remove any unwanted noise and matched with phonemes (units of sound in language).
These phonemes are analyzed and combined, often using artificial intelligence, to build corresponding words and sentences.
These words and sentences are then stored as text.

If you’d like to see this process in action, try QuillBot’s free speech-to-text converter.

QuillBot Tools: Other interesting questions

How do I remove or undo a highlight in a PDF?: To undo a highlight with an online PDF editor, use Ctrl + Z or Cmd + Z. To remove a highlight with QuillBot’s free online PDF editor, click on the highlight you want to remove. When the highlight editor displays, click the trash icon.
Are there free speech-to-text tools?: If you’re interested in trying out speech-to-text tools but don’t feel like paying a hefty subscription fee, there are many free tools out there for you to try! QuillBot’s free speech-to-text converter will easily transform spoken words into written text in real time.
What is an online QR code?: An online QR code is another term for a “dynamic QR code.”

When you scan one, your phone first opens an intermediary link managed by a redirect service. That link then forwards you to the most up-to-date content or action defined by the QR code’s creator.

It’s called an online QR code because you need an internet connection for it to work. Some QR code content—such as Wi-Fi login details—needs to be available offline, so it must be stored in a “static QR code,” where all the information is directly contained in the code itself.

Why not use QuillBot’s free QR code generator to create a QR code for your WiFi details or personal webpage?
How do you create a QR code for a Google form?: To create a QR code for a Google form, copy the “responder link” and paste it into a QR code generator, such as QuillBot’s free QR code generator.

You can access the responder link by clicking the “Copy responder link” button that appears when you click on “Publish” or by clicking on the link icon in the top-right menu bar.
What is a QR code?: A QR code (for quick response) is a type of barcode that can be read by scanners to link to web pages, payment details, business cards, etc.

You’ll also find implementations of QR codes to allow quick links to apps, Wi-Fi passwords, or payment gateways.

If you want to create your own QR codes, you can do so easily with QuillBot’s free QR code generator.
Can I change the text size when adding text to a PDF?: It is easy to change the text size when editing a PDF in QuillBot’s free PDF editor. When you click on the text tool (or in a text box you have already created), simply use the slider to change the text size. You can also change the color from the palette box.
Can I add a text box to a PDF?: Yes! With the free QuillBot online PDF editor, you can add as many text boxes as you like. You can choose from more than 100 colors, and you can move them once you’ve added them as well.

As a bonus, you can highlight the document, add images, or add drawings, and it works across all platforms and devices.
What’s the difference between editing and adding text in a PDF?: Editing a PDF involves changing the actual text of the document, whereas adding text is more like annotating. Editing is difficult and in many cases not worth it—it is better to go back to the course document and amend it before creating a new PDF.

Adding text to a PDF is simple with an online tool like the QuillBot PDF editor. As well as text, you can add images, highlighting, and drawings.
How do I add text to a PDF without Adobe?: You can easily add text to a PDF using the free QuillBot online PDF editor. Because it’s browser-based, it doesn’t matter what operating system or device you are using. You can add text, highlights, images, or drawings simply and quickly.

There’s no need to create an account, and your results can be printed or saved from the browser.
What do text-to-speech tools do?: Text-to-speech tools like QuillBot’s free text to speech converter take written words and turn them into lifelike speech.

Simply type or paste your text into the tool and select a voice and tone. The tool will then generate an MP3 audio file that contains the “speechified” version of your text.
What does TTS mean?: TTS is an acronym that stands for “text-to-speech.” Text-to-speech tools allow you to convert written words into lifelike speech.

Using tools like QuillBot’s free text to speech converter is fast and easy. Just type or paste your text into the tool, choose your voice and tone, and generate an MP3 file.
Can I change the color of my highlights?: Yes, you can change the color of highlights in a PDF with QuillBot’s free PDF editor. When you click the highlight, a highlight editor will display with a drop-down of alternative color choices.
Can I highlight a scanned PDF?: Yes, you can highlight a scanned PDF with the right PDF editor. QuillBot’s free online PDF editor has a highlighter that works on scanned PDFs. You can use the tool to draw highlights anywhere on a scanned document.
Is QuillBot free?: Yes, QuillBot is free to use. You can access AI tools, like the Paraphraser, Grammar Checker, AI Detector, AI Humanizer, Summarizer, Citation Generator, and Translate, completely free.

For access to even more tools and higher word limits, you can create a QuillBot Premium account.
Do I need an account to write on a PDF online?: With QuillBot’s PDF editor, you don’t need to sign up for anything. It’s a free online tool that works on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. You can upload and annotate your documents before saving or printing them.

Annotations include text boxes, highlighting, drawing, and image insertion.
How do I write on a PDF without Adobe?: There are many options that let you write on a PDF without using Adobe. One option is the QuillBot PDF editor. It’s an online tool that works across multiple platforms, browsers, and operating systems and on desktops, laptops (Mac and PC) and mobile devices (iOS and Android).

Once you’ve uploaded your document, you can add highlighting, text boxes, drawings, or images. Then you can save or print your document as you wish.
Why are product reviews important for businesses?: Product reviews are vital for businesses because they build trust, provide social proof, and influence buying decisions. Positive reviews can boost sales and brand credibility, while constructive feedback helps companies improve products and customer experience.

Want to generate authentic reviews that strengthen your brand? Try QuillBot’s product review generator to quickly and easily write an AI product review.
What is a product review?: A product review is a customer’s or expert’s evaluation of a product, highlighting its features, benefits, drawbacks, and overall experience. Reviews help potential buyers make informed decisions and provide valuable feedback for businesses.

Want to create compelling reviews effortlessly? Try QuillBot’s product review writer today!
How long should a newsletter be?: The ideal length for a newsletter depends on your audience and goals, but in general:

Short and scannable wins. Most readers prefer 200–500 words, broken into quick sections with clear headings.

Value over volume. Instead of focusing on word count, focus on delivering one to three strong takeaways your subscribers can act on right away.

Mobile matters. Since many people read newsletters on their phones, concise copy, bullet points, and links to learn more often perform better than long essays.

If you have a lot to say, consider linking out to a blog post, video, or resource page rather than cramming everything into the email itself. That way, your newsletter stays engaging and easy to digest while still driving traffic to your deeper content.

Want an easier way to create the perfect-length newsletter every week? Try our weekly newsletter generator—it helps you draft, format, and polish newsletters that keep readers coming back.
What should be included in an SEO checklist for blog posts?: An SEO checklist ensures your blog posts rank higher and attract more readers. Key items include:

Keyword research: Target relevant, high-traffic keywords

Title and meta tags: Include keywords naturally

Content quality: Informative, engaging, and original

Headings and structure: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags for readability

Internal and external links: Improve navigation and authority

Images and alt text: Optimize visuals for SEO

Mobile and speed optimization: Ensure fast, mobile-friendly pages

Use QuillBot’s online checklist generator to make sure your SEO steps are complete and nothing is missed.
What should be included in an onboarding checklist for new hires?: A great onboarding checklist sets your new hires up for success from day one. Here’s what to include:

Administrative essentials: Tax forms, benefits enrollment, and payroll setup

Workspace and tools: Email accounts, software access, and equipment ready

Company culture: Mission, values, and policies overview

Mentorship and support: Assign a buddy or mentor for guidance

Role clarity: Outline key responsibilities and initial projects

Check-ins: Schedule early feedback sessions to keep them on track

A structured onboarding process boosts engagement, reduces confusion, and accelerates productivity. Streamline your checklist creation with QuillBot’s checklist generator to ensure every step is covered without missing a beat.
What types of content can I link to with a QR code?: QR codes can link to almost any digital content. Common examples include websites, PDFs, contact information (vCards), social media profiles, online forms, payment pages, or surveys.

With QuillBot’s QR Code Generator, you can create codes for all these content types and more, making it easy to share exactly what your audience needs.
What are the best practices for placing QR codes on marketing materials?: Place your QR code where it’s easy to see and scan, like the front of a flyer, the corner of a poster, or the back of a business card. Make sure there’s enough contrast between the code and the background, leave some white space around it, and include a clear call-to-action so people know what will happen when they scan.

To create a clean, high-quality QR code you can use across different materials, try QuillBot’s free QR Code Generator.
Is QuillBot AI Detector accurate?: QuillBot’s AI Detector demonstrates high accuracy in differentiating AI-generated and human-written text.

What sets it apart from other, less reliable AI detectors is its ability to further distinguish between completely AI-generated text and text that has been refined with AI writing tools. This makes QuillBot’s AI Detector highly accurate.
What can I translate with QuillBot’s online translator?: You can use QuillBot Translate to translate any type of short or long texts. Some examples are:

Emails

Journal articles

Menu items

Guidebooks

Website content

Marketing copy

User instructions

Blog posts

Text messages
What is QuillBot used for?: Students and professionals use QuillBot to strengthen their writing and boost productivity. QuillBot is a suite of AI tools that help you write better, smarter, and faster. These tools include:

Grammar Checker, which reviews your text for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors and suggests improvements

Paraphraser, which rephrases text to make sure you have the right vocabulary, tone, and style for any context

Summarizer, which condenses documents down to the key points without losing the original meaning

Citation Generator, which automatically creates citations in over 1,000 different styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago

Translate, which quickly and accurately translates texts between 45 different languages

AI Detector, which detects both AI-generated and AI-refined text

Plagiarism Checker, which accurately analyzes texts for plagiarized content and provides actionable feedback

Word Counter, which provides insights into the word count and readability level of a text

AI Humanizer, which can humanize AI outputs and improve the fluency and style of a text