Text to Speech on Chromebooks

Hear Text Read Aloud on a Chromebook

Chromebooks include built-in tools to read on-screen text aloud. Use ChromeVox to have entire pages read, or Select-to-speak to hear only the parts you choose.

Listen to All Text (ChromeVox Screen Reader)

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
   Or press Alt + Shift + S.
2. Select Settings → Accessibility.
3. Under Text-to-Speech, turn on ChromeVox.

Listen to Part of a Page (Select-to-speak)

Step 1 – Turn on Select-to-speak

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
   Or press Alt + Shift + S.
2. Select Settings → Accessibility.
3. Under Text-to-Speech, turn on Select-to-speak.

Step 2 – Select & Hear Text

Option 1:

1. Press and hold the Search/Launcher key.
2. Drag the pointer over the text you want read.

Option 2:

1. Highlight the text you want read.
2. Press Search/Launcher + S.

Option 3:

1. Near the time (bottom right), select the Select-to-speak icon.
2. Drag the pointer over the text you want read.

Stop/Pause: While Select-to-speak is reading, press Ctrl or press the Search/Launcher key. You can also select the on-screen Stop control. Navigation controls let you pause/play, change speed, and skip lines.

Interactive demo: Turn on Select-to-speak

Highlight or Shade Background Text (Select-to-speak Settings)

Customize how text is highlighted during reading and optionally dim the rest of the screen for focus.

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
   Or press Alt + Shift + S.
2. Select Settings → Accessibility.
3. Under Text-to-Speech, ensure Select-to-speak is on, then choose Open Select-to-speak settings.
4. Under Highlighting, you can:
   • Turn on Highlight each word as it is spoken.
   • Choose a Color for word highlights.
   • Turn on Shade background content to dim everything except the spoken text.

Disable Select-to-speak Navigation Controls (Optional)

You can turn off the on-screen navigation controls if you prefer a simpler interface.

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
   Or press Alt + Shift + S.
2. Select Settings → Accessibility.
3. Under Text-to-Speech, open Select-to-speak settings.
4. Under Highlighting, turn off Enable navigation controls.