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Web Speech API

The Web Speech API is a browser standard that lets a web page use the browser's built-in speech recognizer without any download or backend of its own. It's the reason Zahvox works instantly in a tab.

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Definition

The Web Speech API is a browser-level API defined by the W3C that exposes two things to web pages: SpeechRecognition (turning audio from the microphone into text) and SpeechSynthesis (turning text into spoken audio). Zahvox uses the recognition half.

In plain language

It's a small door in your browser. Zahvox knocks on the door and says 'please listen to the mic and tell me what you hear.' The browser handles the actual listening.

Why it matters

Because the browser does the heavy lifting, a Web Speech API app can be lightweight, free, and instant. But because it depends on the browser vendor, coverage, accuracy, and language support vary — and Safari/Firefox lag behind Chromium browsers.

How this relates to Zahvox

Zahvox is a Web Speech API app today. That's how the free tool works with no signup and no download. It's also why Zahvox recommends Chrome or Edge for the best experience, and why a browser extension and desktop app are on the roadmap for users who want more control.

Status: Available today in the free Zahvox web tool.

Example

You visit /tool in Chrome, allow microphone access once, and start speaking. The browser's Web Speech API streams the recognized text back into Zahvox in near real time.

Common misconception

The Web Speech API is not one API run by one company. Each browser implements it differently. Chrome and Edge send audio to Google-managed recognition; Safari uses Apple's on-device recognizer; Firefox support is limited.

Frequently asked questions

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