Text-to-Speech (TTS) in Python using pyttsx3

🎙️ Text-to-Speech (TTS) in Python using pyttsx3 for Windows

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pyttsx3 is a Python library that converts text into spoken words using Windows' built-in voice engine. It works offline and lets you control voice, rate, and volume.

🔧 Step 1: Install pyttsx3

pip install pyttsx3

🧠 Step 2: Basic Example

import pyttsx3

engine = pyttsx3.init()
engine.say("Hello, welcome to pyttsx3 text to speech!")
engine.runAndWait()

💡 Step 3: List All Supported Voices

import pyttsx3

engine = pyttsx3.init()
voices = engine.getProperty('voices')

for idx, voice in enumerate(voices):
    print(f"{idx}. Name: {voice.name}, ID: {voice.id}, Lang: {voice.languages}")

You’ll typically see voices like:

0. David - English (US) - Male
1. Zira - English (US) - Female

🎙️ Change Voice: Male / Female

engine.setProperty('voice', voices[0].id)  # Male
engine.setProperty('voice', voices[1].id)  # Female
Note - It support only two Types of Voices But you can change Pitch

⚙️ Set Rate, Volume, and Speak

engine.setProperty('rate', 150)    # Default ~200
engine.setProperty('volume', 1.0)  # Range: 0.0 to 1.0

engine.say("This is a custom voice with speed and volume.")
engine.runAndWait()

🌐 Supported Languages

pyttsx3 uses system-installed voices. You can add new voices in Windows:

🗣️ How to Install More Text-to-Speech Voices in Windows (for pyttsx3)

If you want more voices like Hindi, Spanish, French, or regional English (India/UK/US) in your pyttsx3 project, follow these easy steps:

✅ Step-by-Step Guide

1. 🛠️ Open Settings → Press Win + I
2. ⏳ Go to Time & Language > Speech
3. 🧩 Scroll down to Manage Voices (in Windows 11)
4. ➕ Click Add voices
5. 🌐 Choose from languages like:
   • ✅ English (India)
   • ✅ Hindi
   • ✅ Spanish, French, etc.
6. ⬇️ Wait for the download to finish
7. 🔁 Restart your PC to activate new voices

💻 Python Code: List All Installed Voices

import pyttsx3

engine = pyttsx3.init()
voices = engine.getProperty('voices')

for idx, voice in enumerate(voices):
    print(f"{idx}. Name: {voice.name}, ID: {voice.id}, Lang: {voice.languages}")

🎯 Example Output:

0. Microsoft David Desktop - English (US)
1. Microsoft Zira Desktop - English (US)
2. Microsoft Ravi - English (India)
3. Microsoft Heera - Hindi
4. Microsoft Helena - Spanish (Spain)

🧠 How to Use a Specific Voice (by Index or Language)

👉 Using voice by index:

engine.setProperty('voice', voices[2].id)  # Ravi - English (India)

👉 Auto-select by language (e.g., Hindi):

for voice in voices:
    if 'hi-IN' in voice.languages or 'Hindi' in voice.name:
        engine.setProperty('voice', voice.id)
        break

💡 Tips

• Use voice.languages to detect language codes like 'en-IN', 'hi-IN', 'es-ES'
• Voices must be installed via Windows Settings first
• Always restart after installing new voices

🎙️ Save Voice Output as MP3 (Optional)

engine.save_to_file("यह आवाज़ फाइल में सेव होगी", "output.mp3")
engine.runAndWait()

📌 Conclusion

Using pyttsx3 with Windows' built-in and custom-installed voices lets you create advanced text-to-speech apps in multiple languages — fully offline!

📂 Full Project Example

import pyttsx3

engine = pyttsx3.init()

voices = engine.getProperty('voices')
engine.setProperty('voice', voices[1].id)  # Female

engine.setProperty('rate', 140)
engine.setProperty('volume', 1.0)

text = "Hello! This is a text-to-speech demo using pyttsx3 on Windows."
engine.say(text)
engine.runAndWait()

🧠 Tricks & Hacks

• Use engine.save_to_file("Text", "output.mp3") to save TTS as audio file.
• Install more Windows voices for different languages.
• Create a voice menu in your app for switching between voices live.

❓ FAQ

Q. Does pyttsx3 work offline?
✅ Yes, it is fully offline as it uses built-in TTS engines.

Q. Can I change the language?
✅ Yes, if that language's voice is installed on your Windows system.

Q. How to slow down the voice?
🎚️ Use engine.setProperty('rate', 120)

📦 Extra Tip: Save to MP3 File

engine.save_to_file("Save this text to file", "speech.mp3")
engine.runAndWait()

🎯 Conclusion

pyttsx3 is a powerful and flexible offline TTS library for Python developers on Windows. Customize voices, export audio, and even integrate it in GUIs or games!