Yes—ChatGPT can transcribe audio, using built-in tools and OpenAI speech-to-text models.
If you’re wondering whether ChatGPT can turn recordings into text, the short answer is yes. You can record inside the ChatGPT app, upload audio, or plug into OpenAI’s speech-to-text API for automated workflows. Below, you’ll see when each route shines, how accurate it can be, and the trade-offs that matter for meetings, interviews, podcasts, and notes.
Quick Options To Get A Transcript
There are several ways to get words on the page. Pick the path that matches your gear and goals.
| Method | Best For | Setup Steps (Short) |
|---|---|---|
| Record Mode In ChatGPT | Hands-free capture of meetings, calls, or voice notes | Open the ChatGPT desktop or mobile app, start a recording, stop to auto-transcribe |
| Upload An Audio File In Chat | One-off files you already have (memos, interviews) | Start a new chat, attach audio, ask for a transcript or summary |
| OpenAI Speech-To-Text API (gpt-4o-transcribe family) | Automated pipelines, apps, and bulk jobs | Send audio to the Transcriptions endpoint; store the returned text |
| Whisper (Open-Source) | Local or server-side transcription without the chat UI | Run the Whisper model; feed audio; export text/SRT/VTT |
| Realtime API | Live captions, low-latency talk-to-AI experiences | Stream audio frames via WebRTC/WebSocket; read back partial text |
| Third-Party Wrappers | Creators who want a GUI with queues and labeling | Sign in, import audio, let the tool call OpenAI under the hood |
| Long-Form With Segments | Multi-hour events and podcasts | Split audio into chunks; send in sequence; stitch cleanly |
| Multilingual Or Translation | Non-English audio or English translations | Choose transcription vs. translation mode based on the output you want |
Doing Audio Transcription With ChatGPT — What Works Today
Two routes stand out for most folks: recording directly in the app or sending files to the speech-to-text API. Recording in the app keeps everything in one place, gives you a transcript inside your chat, and lets you turn that text into summaries, action items, or emails without switching tools. Sending files to the API is the path when you need repeatable workflows, batch jobs, or integration with your own system.
When To Use The Built-In Recorder
Use the recorder when you’re taking notes from a call, logging ideas while walking, or capturing a short interview. It’s quick, and you can ask ChatGPT to polish names, fix punctuation, or standardize speaker labels right after it’s done. You can also request a time-stamped outline or ask for follow-ups you might have missed.
When To Use The API Or Whisper
Use the API or Whisper when you care about automation, throughput, or custom rules. The API returns text and can include timestamps or diarization options, so you can line up captions, attach notes to time ranges, or route segments to editors. Whisper is handy when you want an open-source engine you can run locally or on your own server for processing at scale.
Can ChatGPT Do Audio Transcription? (Accuracy, Limits, And Reality)
Accuracy depends on mic quality, background sound, accents, domain jargon, and how cleanly speakers avoid cross-talk. Good captures from a quiet room usually turn out well. If you’re recording panels or roundtables, plan for a light edit pass—especially around names and acronyms.
What About Speakers And Timestamps?
Speaker labels (diarization) and timestamps are available through the developer side. You can request word- or segment-level timing to power captions or jump links. For multi-speaker content, these tools cut editing time because you can jump straight to the moment that needs review.
What Audio Formats Work?
The common formats—mp3, mp4/m4a, wav, and webm—work across the most used paths. Compressed mp3 or m4a are fine for meetings and memos. For archival or editing, wav preserves full fidelity at a larger size. If you’re routing files through automations, keep your format consistent to avoid hiccups during batch runs.
Privacy And Consent Basics
Only record if everyone on the line has agreed. If you work under stricter rules (legal, healthcare, research), follow your org’s policy and local laws. Avoid uploading anything you’re not allowed to share, and keep retention short unless you need a long-term record.
Step-By-Step: From Audio To Text In Minutes
Method A: Record Inside ChatGPT
- Open the ChatGPT app on desktop or mobile.
- Start a new chat and tap the record icon.
- Speak or run your call through the system audio (desktop).
- Stop recording; you’ll see a transcript appear in the thread.
- Ask for edits: “Fix names,” “add timestamps,” or “turn this into bullets.”
Method B: Upload An Audio File
- Start a new chat.
- Attach your audio file (mp3, m4a, wav, or webm work well).
- Type a clear request, such as “Transcribe this and keep speaker labels.”
- When it’s done, ask for a summary, action list, or cleaned-up version.
Method C: Use The Speech-To-Text API
- Pick your model (transcribe or transcribe-with-diarization).
- Send the file to the Transcriptions endpoint.
- Choose your output (plain text or JSON).
- Optionally request timestamps or speaker info.
- Save the text in your system; trigger QC or summaries as needed.
Pro Tips For Clean, Searchable Transcripts
Get Better Audio At The Source
- Use a decent mic and record from a quiet room.
- Ask speakers to take turns—overlap drops accuracy.
- Capture names, titles, and acronyms at the start so the model sees them early.
Keep Long Sessions Manageable
- Break multi-hour recordings into 15–30-minute chunks.
- Save each chunk with clear file names (e.g.,
project-kickoff-part-01.m4a). - Run a pass to fix names, then generate a master doc.
Use The Transcript As A Source Of Truth
- Add time-stamped notes so you can jump back to the exact moment.
- Tag follow-ups directly under the lines that matter.
- When sharing, strip any sensitive details that don’t belong in the archive.
Formats And Controls That Matter Later
Choosing the right output makes life easier downstream. If you’re shipping captions, pick VTT or SRT. If you’re building an app, JSON with timestamps is handy. If you just need a readable doc, plain text is fine—ask ChatGPT to clean punctuation and paragraph breaks before you export.
| Item | Details | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Input Formats | mp3, mp4/m4a, wav, webm (common choices) | Works across apps and pipelines |
| Output As Text | Plain text or JSON | Readable notes vs. structured data |
| Caption Files | SRT or VTT | Drop into players and editors |
| Timestamps | Word- or segment-level | Jump links, quote accuracy |
| Diarization | Speaker labels when you need them | Clear multi-speaker transcripts |
| Chunking | Split long audio into parts | Stability and faster retries |
| Language | Transcribe in source language or translate to English | Flexible workflows |
Limits, Caveats, And Sensible Expectations
Even good models can miss words, fuse speakers, or guess a term when the audio drops. Plan a light proofread, especially on names, figures, and legal or medical terms. For interviews, keep a shared doc open so guests can spell uncommon names. When you push recordings through an automated pipeline, add a short human pass on the final export.
When You Need Extra Accuracy
- Record local audio for each speaker and mix later.
- Add a short glossary list to your prompt so the model learns names early.
- Run a second pass to standardize formatting across parts.
Trusted References While You Work
You can read OpenAI’s speech-to-text guide for model and format options, and the ChatGPT Record article for the built-in recording workflow. These pages outline the models, input types, and the end-to-end flow you’ll use in practice.
Where This Leaves You
Can ChatGPT Do Audio Transcription? Yes. If you want a quick transcript in your chat, use the recorder or upload a file. If you need an assembly line—timestamps, speaker labels, and structured outputs—use the speech-to-text API or run Whisper. Either way, you’ll go from raw audio to clean text in minutes, then shape it into notes, drafts, or captions without leaving your workspace.
FAQ-Free Wrap
Skip the back-and-forth. Start with a clean recording, pick the right path (record, upload, or API), and request the output that fits your next step. That’s the entire game for steady, reliable transcripts from ChatGPT.