Praat

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

What Praat is

Praat is a free program for analysing, synthesizing, and manipulating speech, and for producing graphics for articles and theses. Its analysis functions cover spectral properties, pitch, formants, intensity, jitter, shimmer, and voice breaks. It can synthesize from pitch, formant, and intensity, and supports articulatory and Klatt acoustic synthesis. For annotation, users can label intervals and time points across multiple tiers, including with the phonetic alphabet. Praat handles sound files up to 2 gigabytes, described as about three hours. Its scripting language includes commands, variables, loops, procedures, file operations, and command-line execution. Scripts can communicate with other programs using sendpraat; the sendsocket directive is unavailable in version 7. Graphics can be exported as PDF, PNG, or EPS. Praat runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and is distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or higher. The maker's latest direct-download Linux editions require a distribution from 2022 or newer and a supported processor type; 32-bit Linux editions are no longer made except for Raspberry Pi.

Who it suits

Praat suits people working with speech analysis, synthesis, annotation, or research graphics. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, subject to the listed Linux requirements.

What it does well

Analyses pitch, formants, intensity, jitter, and shimmer
Labels intervals and time points across multiple tiers
Handles sound files up to 2 gigabytes
Exports graphics as PDF, PNG, or EPS
Includes a scripting language and command-line execution

What to know first

Version 7 does not support the sendsocket directive
Latest direct-download Linux editions require a 2022-or-newer distribution
32-bit Linux editions are only made for Raspberry Pi

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Praat	Free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or higher	Free

As fon.hum.uva.nl lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open https://www.fon.hum.uva.nl/praat/.
Choose the edition for Linux, macOS, or Windows.
Install and use the free Praat software.
Consult the manual, FAQ, or Praat Users List for help; unresolved questions can be sent by email.

Verdict

Praat combines detailed speech analysis and synthesis with annotation, scripting, and graphics export. Linux users should check the distribution and processor requirements before downloading.

Questions

How much does Praat cost?

Praat is free software, priced at $0.

Which operating systems does Praat support?

Praat runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Is Praat open source?

Praat is distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3 or higher.

How large a sound file can Praat use?

Praat can use sound files up to 2 gigabytes, described as about three hours.

What are the Linux requirements?

The latest direct-download Linux editions require a distribution from 2022 or newer and a supported processor type. The maker no longer creates 32-bit Linux editions except for Raspberry Pi.

Where can I get help with Praat?

The maker directs users to the manual, FAQ, and Praat Users List, with an email contact for unresolved questions or problems.

Facts from Praat's own pages

Annotation: Praat can label intervals and time points on multiple tiers and supports the phonetic alphabet. · fon.hum.uva.nl, 4 Oct 2026
File size limit: The homepage states that Praat can use sound files up to 2 gigabytes (3 hours). · fon.hum.uva.nl, 4 Oct 2026
Graphics: Praat can produce high-quality graphics and export PDF, PNG, or EPS files. · fon.hum.uva.nl, 4 Oct 2026
Intended audience: The tutorial describes Praat as a tool for speech analysis and research graphics, including pictures for articles and theses. · fon.hum.uva.nl, 4 Oct 2026
Linux limits: The maker says it no longer creates 32-bit Linux editions except for Raspberry Pi, and the latest direct-download Linux editions require a distribution from 2022 or newer and a supported processor type. · fon.hum.uva.nl, 4 Oct 2026
Program communication: Praat scripts can communicate with other programs using sendpraat; the sendsocket directive is no longer possible in version 7. · fon.hum.uva.nl, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose: Praat is a computer program for analysing, synthesizing, and manipulating speech, and creating high-quality pictures for articles and theses. · fon.hum.uva.nl, 4 Oct 2026
Scripting: Praat includes a scripting language with commands, variables, loops, procedures, file operations, and command-line execution. · fon.hum.uva.nl, 4 Oct 2026
Security: Praat version 7 removed the sendsocket directive, which had allowed messages to be sent to another running program listening to a socket on some platforms. · fon.hum.uva.nl, 4 Oct 2026
Speech analysis: Features include spectral, pitch, formant, and intensity analysis, plus jitter, shimmer, and voice-break analysis. · fon.hum.uva.nl, 4 Oct 2026
Speech synthesis: Praat supports synthesis from pitch, formant, and intensity, as well as articulatory and Klatt acoustic synthesis. · fon.hum.uva.nl, 4 Oct 2026
Support: The maker directs users to the manual, FAQ, Praat Users List, and an email contact for unresolved questions or problems. · fon.hum.uva.nl, 4 Oct 2026

Where Praat stands on Freedom251

Audio Analysis Software#10 of 43