Reads two-column papers in order
Journals and arXiv papers often use two columns. Read PDF Aloud detects them and reads each column from top to bottom instead of mixing lines.
Free browser extension · PDF text to speech
Read PDF Aloud: listen to any PDF in your browser
Read PDF Aloud is a free Chrome extension that reads PDF files out loud and highlights each sentence as it's read. Drop in a research paper, textbook or report, press Play and follow along. No sign-up, and your file is not uploaded.
- Free: first 4 pages
- PRO: up to 100 pages, $9.99 once
- Files up to 50 MB
Listening is a simple way to get through long documents. Read PDF Aloud turns the text of your PDF into speech and highlights the sentence you are hearing. Click any sentence to jump to it. Two-column papers are read one column at a time, so the sentences stay in order. Headers, footers and page numbers are skipped.
This demo uses the voices of your own browser, just like the extension.
How to read a PDF aloud in Chrome
- 1
Install the extension
Add Read PDF Aloud from the Chrome Web Store and pin its icon to the toolbar.
- 2
Open your PDF
Click the icon, then drag and drop a PDF from your computer (up to 50 MB) or click to choose a file.
- 3
Press Play
The text is read aloud and the current sentence is highlighted. Pause, skip a sentence or change the speed at any time.
What it does
Follow along with highlighting
The sentence being read is highlighted, and with voices that support it, so is the current word. Click any sentence to start from there.
Skips page clutter
Running headers, footers and page numbers at the top and bottom of each page are skipped, so you hear the main text.
A voice for your document's language
The extension detects the language of the PDF and picks a voice that speaks it. Your choice of voice is remembered for each language.
Speed and position
Set the speed from 0.8x to 2x. The extension remembers which page you stopped on in each document.
Your file stays on your computer
The PDF is opened inside your browser and never uploaded to our servers. No account, no tracking, no ads.
Who it's for
Students who read textbooks and research papers. Professionals who work through long reports and contracts. Language learners who want to hear a text while reading it. And anyone who prefers to listen, including people with dyslexia or ADHD, or anyone whose eyes are tired of the screen.
Free vs PRO
Free
$0
- First 4 pages of any PDF
- Sentence highlighting
- All playback controls and voices
- No sign-up
PRO
$9.99 one-time
- Documents up to 100 pages
- Lifetime access, no subscription
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Upgrade inside the extension
Ways to read a PDF aloud
There are several ways to have a PDF read to you. Here is how they differ.
| Option | Where it works | How to start | Your file |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read PDF Aloud (this extension) | Google Chrome | Click the icon, drop in the PDF, press Play | Stays in your browser |
| Read aloud in Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Edge (built in) | Open the PDF in Edge, right-click, choose Read aloud (Ctrl+Shift+U) | Opened in Edge |
| Read Out Loud in Adobe Acrobat Reader | Acrobat Reader desktop app | View → Activate Read Out Loud | Opened in the app |
| Online text-to-speech websites | Any browser | Upload the PDF or paste the text | Usually sent to the website's server |
Choose Read PDF Aloud if you use Chrome, read two-column papers, or want a voice that matches the document's language without changing settings.
About voices
Read PDF Aloud uses the text-to-speech voices of your browser and operating system. In Google Chrome, voices that start with "Google" usually sound the most natural; they need an internet connection. You can add free voices to Windows, macOS or ChromeOS: the Add Voices button in the player shows you how.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make Chrome read a PDF out loud?
Install the free Read PDF Aloud extension, click its icon in the toolbar, drop your PDF into the reader page and press Play. The text is read aloud and each sentence is highlighted as it goes.
Can I listen to a PDF for free?
Yes. The free version reads the first 4 pages of any PDF, with highlighting and all playback controls. PRO ($9.99, one-time payment) reads documents up to 100 pages.
Does it read two-column research papers correctly?
Yes. Two-column layouts, common in journals and arXiv papers, are detected and read one column at a time, from top to bottom.
Is my PDF uploaded anywhere?
No. The PDF is opened and processed inside your browser and is never uploaded to our servers. There is no account, no tracking and no ads. See the privacy policy.
Does it work offline?
It depends on the voice. Your PDF is always processed in the browser, but browser voices such as "Google" voices in Chrome need an internet connection. Voices installed on your computer usually work without one.
Which voices can I use?
Any text-to-speech voice built into your browser or installed on Windows, macOS or ChromeOS. The extension picks a voice that matches the language of your document, and you can change it at any time.
Can it read scanned PDFs?
Not yet. A scanned PDF is a set of page images with no real text inside, so there is nothing to read aloud.
What is the biggest PDF it can read?
Files up to 50 MB. The free version reads the first 4 pages; PRO reads documents up to 100 pages.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. PRO comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Write to client.care@tutamail.com.
Start listening to your PDFs
Free for the first 4 pages of every document. No account needed.