OpenAI TTS (Text-to-Speech) Pricing Calculator & Cost Guide
Calculate OpenAI Text-to-Speech (TTS) API costs per character, per request, and per month. Compare TTS standard, TTS HD, and gpt-4o-mini-tts models.
Pricing TLDR
- • $5 free credits for new users (no credit card required)
- • TTS: $15/1M chars • TTS HD: $30/1M • GPT-4o Mini TTS: token-based
- • 6 voices available • Multiple languages • Streaming support
Official pricing:
OpenAI TTS PricingOpenAI TTS Cost Calculator - Monthly Pricing
Calculate by
Minutes of Audio per Request
≈ 5,000 characters(1 min ≈ 1000 chars at ~150 WPM)
Requests per Month
How many TTS conversions do you expect monthly?
Quick Examples:
TTS (tts-1)
Pricing
$15/1M chars
Cost per Request
$0.08
Monthly Cost
TTS HD (tts-1-hd)
Pricing
$30/1M chars
Cost per Request
$0.15
Monthly Cost
GPT-4o Mini TTS (gpt-4o-mini-tts)
Pricing
In: $0.60/1M tokens
Out: $12/1M tokens
Cost per Request
$0.08
Monthly Cost
About OpenAI TTS
What is OpenAI TTS?
OpenAI TTS (Text-to-Speech) is an API service that converts text into natural-sounding speech using advanced AI models. It offers three model options: TTS standard (cost-effective with good quality), TTS HD (premium high-definition audio), and gpt-4o-mini-tts (latest multimodal model with token-based pricing). All models support 6 distinct voices, multiple languages, real-time streaming, and various audio formats.
- Three Model Options: TTS standard ($15/1M chars): Affordable option for most use cases with good audio quality. TTS HD ($30/1M chars): Premium model with highest fidelity for professional audio. GPT-4o-mini-tts: Latest multimodal model with token-based pricing ($0.60 input + $12 audio output per 1M tokens), offering approximately $0.015 per minute of generated audio.
- Voice & Language Support: 6 distinct voices available: Alloy, Echo, Fable, Onyx, Nova, and Shimmer. Supports multiple languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and more. Voice characteristics range from warm and professional to energetic and conversational.
- Technical Features: Multiple output formats: MP3 (default), Opus (low latency), AAC (digital audio), FLAC (lossless), WAV (uncompressed), and PCM (raw audio). Streaming support for real-time playback. Low latency (~0.5s for standard models). Maximum input: 4096 characters per request. API-first design with simple HTTP endpoints.
When to Use OpenAI TTS
Use OpenAI TTS for cost-effective, high-quality text-to-speech at scale. Choose TTS standard for most applications, TTS HD for premium audio quality requirements, and gpt-4o-mini-tts for multimodal applications. OpenAI TTS excels in high-volume scenarios where pricing and latency are critical.
Ideal for
- Voice assistants and chatbots requiring natural conversational speech
- Accessibility features (screen readers, text-to-audio conversion)
- Content narration (articles, blogs, audiobooks, podcasts)
- E-learning platforms and educational content
- IVR systems and automated phone responses
- Notification systems requiring voice alerts
- High-volume applications needing cost-effective TTS
Not ideal for
- Voice cloning or custom voice creation (use ElevenLabs instead)
- Highly emotional or expressive speech (ElevenLabs offers more control)
- Singing or music generation (not designed for this)
- Real-time conversational AI with <100ms latency requirements
- Projects requiring fine-grained control over prosody and intonation
OpenAI TTS Pricing Breakdown
Free Tier
New users receive $5 in free credits with no credit card required. These credits work across all OpenAI APIs including TTS.
- Sign up at platform.openai.com - no credit card required
- Receive $5 free credits instantly upon registration
- Credits expire after 3 months from grant date
- TTS standard: Generate ~333,333 characters ($15/1M)
- TTS HD: Generate ~166,666 characters ($30/1M)
- GPT-4o-mini-tts: ~333 minutes of audio (approximate)
Model Pricing Comparison
TTS Standard ($15 per 1M Characters)
Cost-effective option for most applications. Good audio quality with natural-sounding voices. Low latency (~0.5s). Ideal for: chatbots, notifications, content narration, e-learning. Example cost: 5,000 characters = $0.075 (less than 8 cents per request).
TTS HD ($30 per 1M Characters)
Premium high-definition audio quality. Best fidelity for professional audio production. Same latency and features as standard. Ideal for: audiobooks, podcasts, premium content, professional voiceovers. Example cost: 5,000 characters = $0.15 (15 cents per request). 2x price of standard TTS.
GPT-4o-mini-tts (Token-Based Pricing)
Latest multimodal model with token-based pricing. Text input: $0.60 per 1M tokens. Audio output: $12 per 1M audio tokens. Approximately $0.015 per minute of generated audio. Variable latency. Offers more control and integration with GPT-4o features. Best for: applications requiring multimodal capabilities or integration with existing GPT-4o workflows.
Voices & Audio Formats
6 Voice Options
Alloy: Neutral and balanced. Echo: Clear and professional. Fable: Warm and expressive. Onyx: Deep and authoritative. Nova: Energetic and friendly. Shimmer: Soft and conversational. All voices support multiple languages. No additional cost for voice selection - same pricing regardless of voice chosen.
Multiple Audio Formats
MP3 (default, widely compatible). Opus (lowest latency, ideal for real-time). AAC (digital audio compression). FLAC (lossless quality). WAV (uncompressed, highest quality). PCM (raw 24kHz audio). No extra cost for different formats. Choose based on your application requirements.
Streaming Support
Real-time audio streaming available for all models. Start playback before entire audio is generated. Reduces perceived latency for end users. Ideal for conversational applications and voice assistants. Same pricing as non-streaming requests - no premium for streaming capability.
Technical Limits & Billing
Character Limits
Maximum 4096 characters per API request. For longer text, split into multiple requests. Billing is per character, not per request. Spaces, punctuation, and all text count toward character limit. No minimum request size - pay only for characters used.
Rate Limits
Rate limits vary by usage tier (based on cumulative spend). Free tier: 3 requests per minute (RPM). Higher tiers unlock increased RPM. Rate limits apply per API key. Batch processing available for large volumes. Contact sales for enterprise rate limits.
Billing & Credits
Prepaid credit system with no monthly fees. Credits never expire after first 12 months. Set auto-reload thresholds to avoid service interruption. Real-time usage monitoring in dashboard. Failed requests aren't charged. Volume discounts available for enterprise customers.
OpenAI TTS Use Case Examples
Use Case
Mobile App Notifications
Recommended Setup
TTS Standard • ~1,700 min/month
10 sec per notification • Voice: Nova
Est. Monthly Cost
~$25
Use Case
Voice Assistant
Recommended Setup
TTS Standard • ~2,500 min/month
30 sec per response • Voice: Echo/Shimmer
Est. Monthly Cost
~$37.50
Use Case
Blog Article Narration
Recommended Setup
TTS HD • ~5,000 min/month
5 min per article • Voice: Alloy
Est. Monthly Cost
~$150
Use Case
E-Learning Platform
Recommended Setup
TTS Standard • ~5,000 min/month
10 min per lesson • Voice: Echo
Est. Monthly Cost
~$75
Use Case
Audiobook Production
Recommended Setup
TTS HD • ~2,500 min/month
25 min per chapter • Voice: Fable
Est. Monthly Cost
~$75
Use Case
IVR System
Recommended Setup
TTS Standard • ~6,000 min/month
18 sec per call • Voice: Echo
Est. Monthly Cost
~$90
6 OpenAI TTS Cost Optimization Tips
Choose the Right Model for Each Use Case
Use TTS standard ($15/1M) for most applications - notifications, chatbots, basic narration. Reserve TTS HD ($30/1M) only for premium content requiring highest audio quality like audiobooks or professional voiceovers. Consider gpt-4o-mini-tts for multimodal applications. Routing requests intelligently can cut costs by 50%.
Optimize Text Input Length
Remove unnecessary text before sending to TTS API. Strip HTML tags, metadata, and formatting characters. Use abbreviations where appropriate (Dr., St., etc.). Minimize repetitive phrases. Every character saved directly reduces costs. Example: 'Hello, how are you doing today?' (33 chars) vs 'Hi, how are you?' (16 chars) - 51% reduction.
Implement Audio Caching
Cache frequently generated audio files locally or in CDN. Common phrases, greetings, or static content don't need regeneration. Build a library of pre-generated audio clips for repetitive content. For dynamic content, only regenerate the variable portions. Can reduce API calls by 60-80% for applications with repetitive content.
Use Streaming for Better UX Without Extra Cost
Enable streaming for real-time playback in conversational applications. Users hear audio immediately while generation continues. Reduces perceived latency with no additional cost. Improves user experience without increasing your TTS bill. Same $15-30 per 1M characters regardless of streaming vs batch.
Batch Process Non-Urgent Content
For content that doesn't need immediate generation (audiobooks, pre-recorded announcements, training materials), batch multiple requests together. Process during off-peak hours. Pre-generate and store audio for scheduled content. Reduces pressure on rate limits and allows better resource planning.
Track OpenAI TTS Spending in Real-Time
Monitor TTS usage with character-level visibility using CostGoat. Set alerts when approaching budget thresholds. Identify which endpoints or features generate most TTS requests. Detect unusual spikes in usage immediately. Optimize based on actual usage patterns rather than estimates. Prevent budget overruns before they happen with real-time cost tracking.
OpenAI TTS Voice Selection Guide
Voice
Alloy
Characteristics
Neutral and balanced tone, clear pronunciation
Best For
General purpose, informational content, news
Voice
Echo
Characteristics
Clear and professional, business-appropriate
Best For
Corporate communications, tutorials, presentations
Voice
Fable
Characteristics
Warm and expressive, engaging storytelling
Best For
Audiobooks, children's content, creative storytelling
Voice
Onyx
Characteristics
Deep and authoritative, confident delivery
Best For
Documentaries, announcements, formal content
Voice
Nova
Characteristics
Energetic and friendly, upbeat personality
Best For
Marketing content, social media, enthusiastic messaging
Voice
Shimmer
Characteristics
Soft and conversational, intimate tone
Best For
Meditation apps, bedtime stories, personal assistants
Note: All voices cost the same - choose based on your use case and audience preference. Sample all voices to find the best fit for your application.
Track Your OpenAI API Costs in Real-Time
Monitor your OpenAI API usage and spending across all models - GPT, DALL-E, Whisper, and more. CostGoat runs on your desktop with privacy-first local monitoring. 7-day free trial, then $9/month.
Start Free TrialOpenAI TTS Pricing FAQ
Common questions about OpenAI Text-to-Speech costs, models, voices, and features
