Transcribe long audio, from one hour to three
Long recordings are where most transcription tools start cutting you off or pushing a monthly plan. Here is how to turn a one to three hour file into text, where the time goes, and what it costs.
Why long files are awkward elsewhere
Free plans usually cap each file. As of September 2026, both Otter's free Basic plan and TurboScribe's free plan list a 30 minute limit, and some paid plans cap a single conversation too. So a two hour interview either gets chopped into pieces or pushes you into a subscription for one file. Our free fast lane has the same 30 minute cap, but a long file never needs a subscription: transcribe it free in your browser, or pay once for pack hours.
Two ways to do it in Skeleton Fingers
Fast: the practical choice for long files
The fast lane handles three hour recordings end to end, in three steps: your browser converts the file to audio, uploads that audio (about 115 MB per hour), and our servers transcribe it in seconds. The first two steps depend on your device and connection, so the total time varies. You also get speaker labels, which matter more the longer a recording runs, and automatic language detection. It needs a free account, and your recording is stored with that account until you delete the transcript or the account. If a fast transcription fails on our side, the minutes it reserved are refunded automatically.
In your browser: free, and it takes longer
The browser lane is free and unlimited. The Whisper speech model runs on your own computer, so your audio never leaves your device. The cost is time: the work happens on your machine, so a long recording usually takes much longer than on the fast lane, and how long depends on your device. The first run also downloads the model once. Leave the tab open until it finishes. There are no speaker labels in this lane.
A good rule of thumb: if you need the transcript today, or you need to know who said what, use the fast lane. If the audio is sensitive, or budget matters more than time, use the browser lane.
What a long recording costs on the fast lane
Fast minutes are counted by the length of the audio. A free account transcribes files up to 30 minutes free, 3 a day. A longer file is charged in full to pack hours, so a one hour recording uses 60 pack minutes, not 30. On a free account:
| Recording | Pack minutes used | Left in one $5 pack (180 minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 60 | 120 minutes |
| 2 hours | 120 | 60 minutes |
| 3 hours | 180 | None |
Pack hours never expire, so whatever is left waits for your next recording. If you record long sessions every week, Pro gives you 10 fast hours a month for $9.99, used before any pack hours, which stack on top.
Tips for long recordings
- Trim the dead air first. Because minutes are counted by length, cutting a 20 minute warm-up or break before you upload saves 20 fast minutes.
- Upload the original recording. A file straight from the recorder or meeting app usually sounds better than a copy that has been re-recorded or heavily compressed.
- Video is fine. If the session was recorded as video, upload the video file and the speech gets transcribed.
- Plug in for the browser lane. A long local transcription keeps your processor busy, so a laptop on battery will drain faster.
- Spot check before you rely on it. On a long file, skim a few sections against the audio, especially names and numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transcribe a 3 hour recording?
Yes. On the fast lane, a 3 hour file uses 180 fast minutes. On a free account that is charged in full to pack hours, so one $5 hour pack covers it exactly. On Pro it comes out of your monthly hours first. In the browser lane it is free.
How long does a long file take?
On the fast lane, your browser converts the file to audio, uploads that audio (about 115 MB per hour), and our servers transcribe it in seconds. The first two steps depend on your device and connection, so the total time varies. In the browser lane it depends on your computer, and long files take considerably longer.
Should I use the free browser lane for a multi-hour file?
You can, as long as you are happy to wait and do not need speaker labels. It runs entirely on your device, so the time depends on your hardware. If you need the transcript quickly, the fast lane is the better choice.
What if a fast transcription fails?
If a fast transcription fails on our side, the minutes it reserved are refunded automatically.
Do unused pack hours expire?
No. Pack hours stay in your account until you use them. What renews is the free allowance of 3 fast files a day, up to 30 minutes each, and the monthly hours on Pro.
Turn your long recording into text
Free in your browser. Fast when you need it. No subscription required.
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