---
title: "Turn text into an audio file on a Mac, free (MP3, M4A or AIFF)"
description: "Save text to speech as an audio file on a Mac for free with the built-in say command in Terminal, including M4A output, choosing a voice and speed, and reading from a text file. Plus apps that export MP3."
url: "https://speechbee.app/guides/text-to-speech-mp3-mac"
---

# Turn text into an audio file on a Mac

Your Mac can save any text as a spoken audio file, free, with a command that has been built in for years. It takes one line in Terminal. Here's how, with options for voice and speed, and the apps to use if you'd rather not touch Terminal.

By the SpeechBee team, who make SpeechBee. Tested on macOS on 13 October 2026.

> ### The short version
>
> Open **Terminal** and run:
>
> `say -o ~/Desktop/hello.m4a "Your text here"`
>
> An audio file appears on your Desktop.

## Save text as audio with the say command

macOS includes a command called `say` that speaks text with your Mac's voices. With `-o` it saves the speech to a file instead of playing it.

1. Open **Terminal** (in Applications, Utilities).
2. Type a command like this and press Return:

`say -o ~/Desktop/note.m4a "Remember to send the proposal on Friday."`

The file extension decides the format. AIFF is the default; we tested `.m4a`, which plays in Music, QuickTime and most players. Apple's manual page lists AIFF, CAF, M4A and WAVE.

## Read a whole text file

Save your text as a plain text file, then point `say` at it with `-f`:

`say -f ~/Desktop/chapter.txt -o ~/Desktop/chapter.m4a`

## Choose a voice and speed

- **List voices:** `say -v '?'`
- **Use a voice:** `say -v Samantha -o out.m4a "Hello"` (use a name from your list)
- **Speed:** `-r 180` sets the rate in words per minute.

It uses the voices installed on your Mac, so download better ones first in **System Settings**, **Accessibility**, **Read & Speak**, **System voice**. See [natural voices on a Mac](https://speechbee.app/guides/natural-text-to-speech-voices-mac). Everything happens on your Mac, so the text isn't sent anywhere.

## Apps that export MP3

If you'd rather not use Terminal:

- **NaturalReader** exports MP3 on its paid plans, $79 to $159 a year. See [NaturalReader pricing](https://speechbee.app/compare/naturalreader-pricing).
- **TTSReader** offers MP3 export from its web player. See [TTSReader alternatives](https://speechbee.app/compare/ttsreader-alternatives).

SpeechBee, which we make, reads selected text aloud with natural voices on your Mac but doesn't export audio files.

## Questions

### Can a Mac convert text to MP3?

The built-in `say` command saves to AIFF, M4A, CAF or WAVE. M4A plays almost everywhere. For MP3 specifically, use an app such as NaturalReader.

### Is the say command free?

Yes. It's part of macOS.

### Does the say command need the internet?

No, once the voice you use is installed.

## Keep reading

- [Natural text to speech voices on a Mac](https://speechbee.app/guides/natural-text-to-speech-voices-mac)
- [Free text to speech on a Mac](https://speechbee.app/guides/free-text-to-speech-mac)
- [How to make your Mac read text aloud](https://speechbee.app/guides/text-to-speech-on-mac)

## More on reading aloud

- [Every read-aloud guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/read-text-aloud)
- [Online vs on-device text to speech](https://speechbee.app/guides/online-text-to-speech-vs-app)
- [Read text from an image](https://speechbee.app/guides/read-text-from-image-mac)
- [Type to speak on Mac](https://speechbee.app/guides/type-to-speak-mac)
- [Best text to speech for Mac](https://speechbee.app/compare/best-text-to-speech-app-mac)
- [Speechify vs SpeechBee](https://speechbee.app/compare/speechify-vs-speechbee)
- [Every dictation guide and comparison](https://speechbee.app/guides/voice-typing-mac)

## Sources

Checked on 13 October 2026.

- The `say` manual page in macOS (run `man say` in Terminal); M4A output tested by us
- [NaturalReader: Plans & Pricing](https://help.naturalreaders.com/en/articles/8854700-plans-pricing-personal-version) and [TTSReader](https://ttsreader.com/)
- SpeechBee facts from our [homepage](https://speechbee.app/) and [privacy policy](https://speechbee.app/privacy)