Convert MP3 to text

Sonix converts MP3 audio files to accurate text transcripts in minutes. Whether it's a podcast episode, interview recording, audiobook, or voice memo - upload your MP3 file and our AI-powered transcription delivers professional results.

99% accuracy
5-min turnaround
60+ formats
Audio
Video
DOCX
SRT/VTT
PDF
53+ Languages
About This Format

Understanding MP3 files

What is a MP3 file?

Universal audio format supported everywhere

MP3 files are one of the most common audio file formats. Almost every player on any platform can open an mp3 file. The MP3 file format is a compressed file format with an intentional loss of audio quality. However, the loss should be negligible for the typical user. It was developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and uses ‘Layer 3’ audio compression.
The audio compression preserves the audio within a normal human’s hearing range, while discarding unnecessary information outside of that range. MP3 files are usually used to store music and audiobooks with ‘near-CD quality sound’ (aka Stereo at 16-bit), but due to the great compression algorithm, the file size is around 1/10th of the WAV or AIF file equivalent. The quality of an MP3 file depends largely on the compression bit rate. Common bit rates are 128, 160, 192, and 256 kbps. And higher bit rates result in higher quality files that also require more disk space. MP3 files are easily handled and transcribed by Sonix, please try to upload higher bitrate quality audio files which will improve your transcript’s accuracy.

Common Uses

  • Music distribution
  • Podcast episodes
  • Audiobooks
  • Voice recordings
  • Music streaming

Audio Quality

Lossy compression; 192kbps+ indistinguishable from CD quality

Transcription Tips for MP3

  • 128kbps or higher recommended for accurate transcription
  • Very common format - Sonix handles all MP3 files
  • Variable bitrate (VBR) MP3s work fine
  • Avoid very low bitrates (below 96kbps) for speech

Where MP3 Files Come From

  • Spotify downloads
  • Podcast apps
  • Music players
  • Voice recorders
  • Web downloads
10x
Faster than real-time
Get your MP3 transcript in minutes
99%
Accuracy rate
Industry-leading AI for MP3 files
53+
Languages
Transcribe in any language
30+
Export formats
Text, Word, PDF, and more
How It Works

Convert MP3 to text in 6 steps

Step 1

Create account

Sign up for Sonix's free trial. Includes 30 minutes of free transcription.

Step 2

Upload file

Upload your MP3 file from your computer, Google Drive, or Dropbox.

Step 3

Select language

Choose from 53+ languages spoken in your MP3 file.

Step 4

Auto-transcribe

Sonix AI automatically extracts and transcribes your MP3 audio.

Step 5

Edit transcript

Polish your transcript with our browser-based AudioText Editor.

Step 6

Export text

Download your MP3 transcript as a text file or other formats.

Common Questions

Everything about MP3 to text

Can Sonix transcribe MP3 files?

Yes! Sonix handles all MP3 files regardless of bitrate - from 32kbps voice recordings to 320kbps high-quality audio. Our AI transcription engine is optimized for the MP3 format and delivers industry-leading accuracy on podcasts, interviews, music with vocals, and voice recordings.

Does MP3 compression affect transcription accuracy?

MP3's lossy compression has minimal impact on transcription for files at 128kbps or higher. For best results with speech content, we recommend MP3 files at 128kbps minimum. Most podcast and interview MP3s at 192kbps or above transcribe with excellent accuracy. Very low bitrate files (below 96kbps) may show slightly reduced accuracy.

How long does it take to transcribe an MP3 file?

Sonix transcribes MP3 files approximately 10x faster than real-time. A 30-minute podcast episode takes about 3 minutes to transcribe. A 1-hour interview MP3 is typically ready in 5-6 minutes. You'll receive an email notification when your MP3 transcript is ready for review.

Can I transcribe MP3 podcasts with multiple speakers?

Sonix automatically detects and labels different speakers in your MP3 podcast using advanced speaker diarization. This works great for interviews, panel discussions, multi-host shows, and meetings. Each speaker gets a unique label, making it easy to follow who said what.

What if my MP3 has background music or noise?

Sonix can transcribe speech over moderate background music and ambient noise. For podcasts with intro music or interviews in noisy environments, our AI focuses on the speech frequencies. For best results, ensure speech is clearly audible above background audio. Very loud music during dialogue may reduce accuracy.

Can I edit my MP3 transcript after it's created?

Absolutely! Sonix provides a powerful online editor where you can correct any errors, adjust speaker labels, and fine-tune timestamps. Changes sync instantly with the audio playback, making editing fast and intuitive. Export your polished transcript to any format when ready.

Why Sonix

The best way to convert MP3 to text

Lightning Fast

Convert MP3 to text 10x faster than real-time with our advanced AI.

99% Accurate

Industry-leading accuracy for MP3 transcription, powered by AI.

Easy Editing

Polish your MP3 transcript with our intuitive AudioText Editor.

Affordable

Convert MP3 to text at a fraction of the cost of manual transcription.

Reviews

Trusted by professionals

4.98 rating from 211 reviews

It's simply an amazing resource for anyone working with the spoken or written word.
DW
Dennis W.
Daly City, CA, USA
Found you through Google. Super easy to use. Transcribed 98% correctly even though it was not a great audio file.
RA
Rana A.
Ann Arbor, MI USA
I wouldn't have been able to pass my course without this technology. I was able to get two A's thanks to this program!
VH
Victoria H.
McAllen, TX, USA
Fantastic product and service. Fast, great quality transcript, great online editing facility. Whole experience was easy and problem free.
SL
Sonia L.
Perth, Australia
Terrifyingly accurate.
SS
Samuel S.
Cedar Rapids, IA USA
Sonix is so easy to use, and the quality is impressive in almost all languages we have tested so far. Punctuation is especially amazing compared to other platforms, even the tech g...
LG
Lucia G.
Barcelona, Spain
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