Can ChatGPT transcribe audio? What works in 2026
ChatGPT can turn live speech into text and make meeting notes. Learn what Record and dictation do, and how to check your transcript.
Yes. ChatGPT can turn speech into text. The right method depends on whether you are recording now or working with a recording you already have. Here is what OpenAI documents for ChatGPT in 2026.
Record a meeting or voice note
ChatGPT Record can transcribe a live meeting, brainstorm, or voice note and prepare a summary. OpenAI says it is available in the macOS desktop app for Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu workspaces. Check your account for the Record button before you plan to use it.
Ask everyone for the needed consent before you record them. When the meeting ends, review the transcript and summary. OpenAI explains how Record works and warns that its transcripts can contain mistakes.
Speak a short message
For a short note, use the microphone button for dictation. ChatGPT turns your speech into editable text before you send the message. This is useful for a spoken prompt, not as a substitute for reviewing a long interview. Read OpenAI’s dictation guide for details.
What about a recording you already have?
OpenAI lists common document, text, spreadsheet, and presentation formats for standard ChatGPT file uploads; it does not list audio there as a general file-upload option. Do not assume that adding an MP3 to a chat will produce a transcript. Check what your account accepts, or use a service that accepts your recording and gives you a transcript you can review.
Turn the transcript into something useful
Imagine a team with a recorded customer interview. First, check the transcript for names and important quotes. Then group the findings, link each claim to what was said, and write a short report. If you need an example, read our guide to writing interview findings that readers can check.
Choose a method based on the recording you have, the output you need, and the consent and privacy rules that apply. A transcript is a draft of what was said; check it before you share a report.