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by OpenAI

TTS-1 reads short text as speech using nine preset voices, adjustable speaking speed and six audio formats.

openai/tts-1/text-to-speech
  • 9 voices
  • Text to Speech

About TTS-1

TTS-1 reads short text as speech using nine preset voices, adjustable speaking speed and six audio formats.

Call it with the model name openai/tts-1/text-to-speech on POST /jobs/createTask, from $0.003.

Introduction

TTS-1 reads short text as speech using nine preset voices, adjustable speaking speed and six audio formats.

openai/tts-1/text-to-speech

Request parameters

ParameterRequiredDescription
textYesThe words to be spoken, exactly as written.
speedNoSpeaking pace. ≥ 0.25 · ≤ 4 · Default: 1
voice_idNoPick from the available voices. alloy · ash · coral · echo · fable · onyx · nova · sage · shimmer · Default: alloy
output_formatNoFile type of the result. mp3 · opus · aac · flac · wav · pcm · Default: mp3

Pricing

Prices are in USD. The API uses a separate USD balance. Website credits cannot be used or transferred to it, and API funds cannot be transferred to website credits. When a task is accepted, we reserve the maximum quoted amount from your API balance. On completion, we charge for actual usage, never more than the hold, and release the remainder. If the task fails, the hold is released.

OptionUSD per 1,000 characters
Standard$0.003

Send the same request body to POST /jobs/quote to see the estimated and maximum USD charge before running. A quote does not run the task or charge your balance.

API quick start

Call the TTS-1 API in three steps

  1. Create an API key. Sign in to PopNow and create a key in the API console. Keys start with sk-popnow-. API calls use your separate USD balance.
  2. Send the request. POST /jobs/createTask with model openai/tts-1/text-to-speech and an input object that follows the parameter table. The response returns a task ID straight away.
  3. Get the result. Poll GET /jobs/recordInfo with the task ID, or pass a callBackUrl and we post the result to it. Download the output links when the task succeeds.
# 1. Create the task. Keep the Idempotency-Key if you retry after a network error.
export IDEMPOTENCY_KEY="$(uuidgen)"
curl -X POST https://api.popnow.ai/api/v1/jobs/createTask \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $POPNOW_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Idempotency-Key: $IDEMPOTENCY_KEY" \
  -d '{
  "model": "openai/tts-1/text-to-speech",
  "input": {
    "text": "Welcome back. Your files finished rendering a minute ago and are ready to download.",
    "voice_id": "alloy"
  }
}'

# 2. Copy data.taskId from the response, then poll until state is succeeded, failed, canceled or expired.
TASK_ID="TASK_ID_FROM_RESPONSE"
curl "https://api.popnow.ai/api/v1/jobs/recordInfo?taskId=$TASK_ID" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $POPNOW_API_KEY"

Replace the prompt and any links with your own. The API tab has the response, polling and callback reference.

TTS-1 price on other platforms

OptionsPopNowOpenAI
Standard−80% vs OpenAI$0.0030/ 1K chars$0.0150/ 1K chars

Each platform's public API list price for the same model and settings, checked Nov 6, 2026.

TTS-1 API questions

How much does the TTS-1 API cost?

TTS-1 costs $0.003 per 1,000 characters. The API uses a separate USD balance. When a task is accepted, we reserve the maximum quoted amount from your API balance. On completion, we charge for actual usage, never more than the hold, and release the remainder. If the task fails, the hold is released.

What is the model name for TTS-1 in the API?

Put openai/tts-1/text-to-speech for Text to Speech in the model field of POST /jobs/createTask.

Does TTS-1 listen to a caller or read supplied text?

TTS-1 converts a written message into a spoken audio file. Its original design favors quick speech generation for short interactions, such as a status announcement or an application instruction. This is the Speech API model: it reads supplied words, without listening to a caller or composing an answer. OpenAI has scheduled its retirement for January 6, 2027.

What are the limits of the TTS-1 API?

Text length (characters): 4,096; Voices: 9. Requests outside these limits are rejected before anything is charged.

Can I try TTS-1 without writing code?

Run TTS-1 in the Playground with your API USD balance, without an API key. Each run appears in your developer history with its matching code.

All TTS-1 models

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