English to IPA Converter
Convert English text into American IPA pronunciation symbols instantly. Your text stays in your browser and is never uploaded.
Enter English text
0 / 500 charactersIPA transcription
Blue = multiple pronunciations (tap to view). Red = not in dictionary.
What is an English to IPA converter?
An English to IPA converter transforms written English text into International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols, helping learners, teachers, and language enthusiasts understand English pronunciation.
Unlike ordinary spelling, IPA represents the actual sounds of spoken English using a standardized phonetic alphabet.
How it works
- Paste English text into the converter.
- Words are matched with pronunciation data from the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary.
- American English pronunciations are converted into IPA symbols while preserving sentence structure and punctuation.
- Copy the transcription for learning, teaching, or reference.
How Phonetic Formatter converts English to IPA
Phonetic Formatter processes your text directly in your browser. Your text stays on your device and is never uploaded to a server.
Text processing
The converter separates words and analyzes English text while keeping the original sentence structure and punctuation.
Pronunciation lookup
Words are matched against the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary, a widely used pronunciation database for American English.
IPA conversion
Pronunciation data is converted into International Phonetic Alphabet symbols with stress information for easier pronunciation reference.
Frequently asked questions
Is this IPA converter free?
Yes. You can use this online IPA converter for free without creating an account.
Is my text uploaded?
No. Conversion happens directly in your browser. Your text is processed locally and is never uploaded or stored.
Which pronunciation does it support?
This converter uses American English pronunciation data from the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary (Carnegie Mellon University).
It is currently optimized for American English pronunciation.
How are multiple pronunciations handled?
Some English words have multiple possible pronunciations depending on context.
When multiple pronunciations are available, they are highlighted in the output. The default pronunciation follows the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary.
What happens when a word is not found?
Words that are not available in the pronunciation database are marked in the output so they can be reviewed separately.
Is there an app version?
Yes. Phonetic Formatter is available as an iPhone and iPad app for a more complete IPA workflow.
The app adds multiple IPA layouts, custom formatting, OCR scanning, and export options including PDF, Word, and TXT.