Free Phonetic Transcription Tool
Convert English text to IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) with our accurate and easy-to-use tool
Convert Text to Phonetic Transcription
Enter any word, phrase, or text in English, and we'll convert it to IPA phonetic symbols.
About the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a standardized system of phonetic notation based on the Latin alphabet. It was created by the International Phonetic Association to represent the sounds of spoken language precisely and consistently.
Universal System
The IPA provides a unique symbol for each distinct sound in human languages, allowing for accurate representation of pronunciation across all languages.
Academic Standard
Used by linguists, language teachers, speech pathologists, lexicographers, and other language professionals worldwide.
Detailed Notation
Includes symbols for consonants, vowels, suprasegmentals (stress, tone), and diacritics to indicate subtle variations in pronunciation.
Cross-Linguistic
Enables comparison between languages and dialects by providing a common reference system for speech sounds.
Uses for Phonetic Transcription
Language Learning
Master pronunciation by seeing exactly how words should sound, regardless of spelling irregularities. Particularly useful for non-native speakers.
Linguistics Research
Document and analyze speech patterns, dialectal variations, and sound changes in languages over time.
Speech Therapy
Identify and target specific speech sounds for therapy and track progress in pronunciation development.
Dictionary Creation
Provide accurate pronunciation guides in dictionaries and language learning materials.
Common English IPA Symbols
Vowels
| IPA Symbol | Example Word | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| i | see /siː/ | long "ee" |
| ɪ | sit /sɪt/ | short "i" |
| e | say /seɪ/ | long "a" |
| ɛ | bed /bɛd/ | short "e" |
| æ | cat /kæt/ | short "a" |
| ɑ | father /ˈfɑðər/ | long "ah" |
| ɔ | law /lɔ/ | open "o" |
| o | go /ɡo/ | long "o" |
| ʊ | book /bʊk/ | short "oo" |
| u | boot /but/ | long "oo" |
| ʌ | but /bʌt/ | short "u" |
| ə | about /əˈbaʊt/ | schwa |
Consonants
| IPA Symbol | Example Word | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| p | pen /pɛn/ | voiceless "p" |
| b | bad /bæd/ | voiced "b" |
| t | tea /ti/ | voiceless "t" |
| d | dog /dɔɡ/ | voiced "d" |
| k | cat /kæt/ | voiceless "k" |
| ɡ | go /ɡo/ | voiced "g" |
| f | fan /fæn/ | voiceless "f" |
| v | van /væn/ | voiced "v" |
| θ | thin /θɪn/ | voiceless "th" |
| ð | this /ðɪs/ | voiced "th" |
| s | see /si/ | voiceless "s" |
| z | zoo /zu/ | voiced "z" |
Quick Navigation
English Diphthongs
| IPA Symbol | Example Word |
|---|---|
| eɪ | day /deɪ/ |
| aɪ | my /maɪ/ |
| ɔɪ | boy /bɔɪ/ |
| aʊ | now /naʊ/ |
| oʊ | go /ɡoʊ/ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is phonetic transcription?
Phonetic transcription is the visual representation of speech sounds using symbols. The most widely used system is the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), which assigns a unique symbol to each distinct sound found in human languages. This allows for precise documentation of pronunciation across different languages and dialects.
Why is phonetic transcription important?
Phonetic transcription is important for several reasons:
- It provides a standardized way to represent pronunciation accurately
- It helps language learners master correct pronunciation
- It's essential for linguistics research and documentation
- It's used in speech therapy to target specific sounds
- It enables dictionary makers to provide accurate pronunciation guides
How accurate is this phonetic transcription tool?
Our phonetic transcription tool is highly accurate for standard English pronunciation. It uses advanced linguistic algorithms and pronunciation dictionaries to convert text to IPA symbols. For common English words, the accuracy is very high. However, for rare words, proper nouns, or technical terms, the tool provides the most likely pronunciation based on English phonological patterns.
What is the difference between broad and narrow transcription?
Broad transcription (also called phonemic transcription) captures only the essential sound distinctions in a language, using fewer symbols and ignoring minor pronunciation variations. Narrow transcription (or phonetic transcription) is more detailed, representing subtle pronunciation differences with additional symbols and diacritics. Our tool provides a balanced approach, offering enough detail for accurate pronunciation while remaining accessible to non-specialists.