How to Make Your Mac Read Text Aloud Using Text to Speech

Learn how to enable and use the Text to Speech feature on your Mac for easy narration of text and improved accessibility.

58 views

Yes, you can make your Mac read to you by utilizing the Text to Speech feature. Go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Spoken Content. Enable Speak items under the pointer and Speak selected text when the key is pressed. You can adjust the voice and speed according to your preferences. Highlight the text you want read aloud and press the designated shortcut (default is Option + Esc) to start the narration. This feature is particularly useful for multitasking or for those with visual impairments.

FAQs & Answers

  1. How do I enable text to speech on my Mac? Go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Spoken Content, then enable 'Speak items under the pointer' and 'Speak selected text when the key is pressed.' Customize the voice and speed settings as desired.
  2. What is the shortcut to make my Mac read selected text aloud? The default shortcut is Option + Esc, which you can use after highlighting the text you want your Mac to read aloud.
  3. Can I change the voice used for Mac’s text to speech? Yes, within the Spoken Content settings in Accessibility, you can select different voices and adjust the speaking rate to suit your preferences.