TTS-1 API

TTS-1 is a real-time text-to-speech model optimized for speed. Provides lower latency but at a lower quality than TTS-1 HD.

Modalities
TextAudio
Price
$20per 1M characters
Voices
11 presets
Released
Jan 5, 2026

TTS-1 overview

Voice
Voice sample

TTS-1

Generated through AI/ML API on Nov 3, 2026

0:000:09

Generated from the text and settings shown here.

TTS-1 specs

Model ID
openai/tts-1
Developer
OpenAI
Input
Text
Output
Audio
Endpoint
POST https://api.aimlapi.com/v1/tts

TTS-1 is a real-time text-to-speech model optimized for speed. Provides lower latency but at a lower quality than TTS-1 HD.

Voiceovers and narration
Generate natural speech for videos, courses, and IVR at low per-second cost.

Accessibility and voice agents
Add spoken output to apps, readers, and conversational assistants.

Use cases

  • Voice assistants and chatbots for more engaging, natural interactions
  • Audiobook and podcast production with AI-generated narration
  • Accessibility tools for visually impaired users
  • Interactive voice response (IVR) systems in customer service
  • Language learning applications with clear and expressive speech output

TTS-1 benchmarks by Artificial Analysis

Human-preference results for TTS-1 in speech arena, next to models available on AI/ML API. Data retrieved Nov 3, 2026.

Speech Arena

Elo · text-to-speech arena

AI/ML API price

USD per 1M characters

Models on AI/ML API

Arena results for models you can call with the same API key.

Speech Arena

Listeners hear two clips of the same text and choose the more natural one. TTS-1 ranks #50 of 101.

TTS-1 API pricing

TTS-1 pricing in US dollars
UsagePriceUnit
Speech generation$20per 1M characters

Prices from the AI/ML API price list, checked on Nov 4, 2026.

TTS-1 vs other speech models: prices

AI/ML API rates for 5 models, per 1M characters.

AI/ML API prices in USD per 1M characters
ModelPer 1M characters
TTS-1$20
Qwen3-TTS-Flash Realtime$13.7
Deepgram Aura$20
TTS-1 HD$32
Deepgram Aura 2$39

How to use the TTS-1 API

View docs

Build with your agent

Give your agent the model details, code and documentation.

1Get your API key

Create API key
export AIMLAPI_KEY="8f2b4c7d9a1e6b3f…"

2Make your first request

curl 'https://api.aimlapi.com/v1/tts' \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $AIMLAPI_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
  "model": "openai/tts-1",
  "text": "Your order has shipped. It will arrive on Thursday between nine and eleven in the morning. Reply to this message if you need to change the delivery time."
}'

Related articles

All posts

TTS-1 FAQ

How much does TTS-1 cost?

TTS-1 costs $20 per 1M characters on AI/ML API, billed as you go with no subscription.

What voices are available?

The TTS-1 model offers several preset voices: alloy, ash, ballad, coral, echo, fable, nova, onyx, sage, shimmer, verse.

What is the difference between TTS-1 and TTS-1-HD?

TTS-1-HD produces higher-fidelity audio with more natural prosody and tone, while TTS-1 is optimized for speed and lower cost.

What is the TTS-1 model ID?

Use openai/tts-1 as the model parameter. Requests go to https://api.aimlapi.com/v1/tts with your AI/ML API key.

Start building with TTS-1

TTS-1 API

openai/tts-1

Build with your agent

Give your agent the model details, code and documentation.

1Get your API key

Create API key
export AIMLAPI_KEY="8f2b4c7d9a1e6b3f…"

2Make your first request

curl 'https://api.aimlapi.com/v1/tts' \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $AIMLAPI_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
  "model": "openai/tts-1",
  "text": "Your order has shipped. It will arrive on Thursday between nine and eleven in the morning. Reply to this message if you need to change the delivery time."
}'