Turn any PDF into audio, free
Got a PDF you'd rather listen to than read? Maybe it's a school reading, a long report, or a contract you keep putting off. Read-Along turns it into a page that reads itself out loud, and lights up each word as it goes, so your eyes and ears stay together. You don't install anything. Upload the file or paste a link and we turn it into a read-along page. We email you the link, or text it once if you signed in by phone and ticked the box. Open it on your phone, laptop or tablet. Everyone gets one free document a day, no card needed. Premium has no daily limit and puts your documents first. We built Read-Along, so we're biased, but try the short sample on the home page first and see if you like the voice.
Hear a sample
Under a minute, read to you.
Press play and follow the highlighted words — this is exactly what your documents become.
The Tortoise and the Hare, by Aesop.
A Hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: "Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race." The Hare, believing her assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and they agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal.
On the day appointed for the race the two started together. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell fast asleep.
At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.
Slow but steady wins the race.
From Aesop's Fables (public domain). Read by Heart, one of our AI voices.
How do I turn a PDF into audio without installing anything?
Choose the PDF or paste a link to it, then sign in with your email or phone (a one-time code, no password) and we start it. A short document is ready in a few minutes; a long one takes about half as long as it takes to listen. We email you the link, or text it once if you signed in by phone and ticked the box. It opens in the web browser on your phone or computer.
Is it really free, and what is the limit?
Yes. Everyone gets one free document a day, no card needed. Premium has no daily limit and puts your documents first.
How big a file works?
Uploads up to 3 GB, or linked files up to 50 MB. A short document is ready in a few minutes; a long one takes about half as long as it takes to listen. Narration stops at about 3 hours, so a very long document is read up to that point.
Can I follow along on the page?
Yes. Each word lights up as it's spoken, so you can look down at any moment and find your place. You can pause, jump back 10 seconds and change the speed from 0.5x to 3x.
Do scanned PDFs work?
Yes, if the words are printed or typed, in English. We read the words out of the pictures, then read them aloud with each word lit up. It takes a little longer than a normal PDF, and we read up to 30 pages of pictures. Handwriting doesn't work yet. If we can't find any words, we tell you and give your free document back.