What You Don’t Know About Audio Hours to Turnaround Times 101

How Long Does It Take to Transcribe One Hour of Audio?

When you need a transcript of your audio, speed is important. Many people searching for transcription services want to know: how long will it take to get a text file from an hour of audio? The answer depends on several key factors, including the type of service, audio quality, and your budget.

Factors Impacting Transcription Turnaround Time

Several elements affect how quickly you can receive your transcript. Understanding these helps you set realistic expectations:

• Audio quality: Clearer audio means faster transcription.
• Number of speakers: More speakers can slow down the process.
• Subject complexity: Technical or specialized content takes longer.
• Transcription method: Human or automated options have different speeds.
• Budget and delivery time: Faster service may cost more.

Transcription Speed by Method

There are four main ways to get a transcript:

• Do-it-yourself
• Hire a professional transcriptionist
• Use a transcription company
• Try automated transcription services

Each method has its own typical turnaround time and level of accuracy.

DIY Transcription

Transcribing audio yourself is possible, but it can be slow.

• For most people, it takes around 4 to 6 hours to transcribe one hour of clear audio (Rev, 2023).
• Complex, poor-quality, or multi-speaker recordings can take even longer.
• This method is best for short, simple files when time is not critical.

Professional Human Transcription

Professional transcriptionists work faster and make fewer errors than most DIY attempts.

• On average, a skilled transcriber needs four hours to finish one hour of audio (Betterteam, 2024).
• Rush jobs are possible, but they may cost more.
• Specialized fields, like medical or legal transcription, can take longer due to complex terminology and required research.

Types of Professional Transcription

• General transcription: Transcribes podcasts, interviews, classes, meetings, and more.
• Medical transcription: Converts doctors’ or healthcare professionals’ recordings into written reports. Specialized and often requires certification.
• Legal transcription: Handles depositions, trials, law enforcement interviews, and court hearings, requiring knowledge of legal language.

Transcription Companies

Transcription companies can have faster turnaround times than freelancers because they use teams of expert transcribers.

• Some companies offer same-day or next-day delivery for an extra fee.
• Standard processing usually matches professional human transcription timing: one hour of audio in about four hours (GoTranscript, 2024).

Automated Transcription

Automated transcription services are the fastest option available.

• Many AI-powered solutions deliver a rough transcript in just a few minutes for one hour of audio.
• However, AI transcription is not as accurate as human transcription, especially with accents, background noise, or technical speech.
• AI-generated transcripts typically reach about 80% accuracy without editing for clear audio (Stanford HAI, 2022).
• Proofreading is essential to ensure accuracy for official or professional use.

GoTranscript offers an AI transcription subscription for those who need transcripts fast.

Is There a Correlation Between Speed and Accuracy?

Speed and accuracy often work in opposite directions:

• Faster (AI or rushed) transcription can mean more mistakes.
• Slower, human-reviewed transcription ensures the highest quality.
• The best option balances fast delivery and detailed proofreading, sometimes called "hybrid transcription."

Some projects may accept rough drafts quickly, then request transcription proofreading services for higher accuracy.

Other Factors That Affect Turnaround Time

• Audio Quality: Static, echo, or muffled sound makes transcription slower and harder.
• Background Noise: Sounds like fans, traffic, or people talking in the background add time for the transcriber to pause and replay sections.
• Accents and Language: Heavy accents or switching languages increases transcription time.
• Research Needs: Technical topics or jargon may require extra research, especially in legal or medical fields.
• Transcription Requirements: Verbatim transcription (including every “um” and “uh”) or strict formatting takes longer than clean or edited transcription.
• Number of Speakers: Multi-speaker files require more effort to label and distinguish between voices.

Cost Considerations and Delivery Options

Your budget affects turnaround time. If you need a transcript within a day, you'll pay more. Waiting a week generally costs less.

• Check transcription pricing for details.
• For captioning, see captioning services pricing.

Planning ahead and knowing your needs can help you choose the right balance of speed and cost.

Transcription Services Beyond Basic Text

For videos, you might also need closed captions or subtitles. GoTranscript offers both, plus translation and audio translation for multilingual projects.

Summary: How Long Does Transcription Take?

• DIY: 4–6 hours for one hour of audio
• Professional (human): ~4 hours per audio hour
• Company: Similar to individual transcribers, with faster options available for a fee
• Automated: Minutes per hour of audio, but requires extra editing for accuracy

Turnaround times vary and depend on audio quality, complexity, and your chosen service.

Get Fast, Accurate Transcripts with GoTranscript

Every transcription project is unique, and turnaround time depends on your needs and the service you choose. GoTranscript offers a full range of transcription solutions — from automated transcription for speed to human proofreading for top accuracy. You can order transcription or even order captions with fast turnaround and transparent pricing. Whether you need captions, subtitles, translations, or just a simple transcript, GoTranscript can help you find the right fit for your timeline and budget.