Three ways to add a voiceover in Pika
| Route | What Pika says | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Speech Studio | “Create studio-level voiceover and narrative audio from any text.” | You have a script and want a polished final read |
| Pika Speech | “The fastest, most cost-efficient text-to-speech model on the market,” with “over 50 voice presets” | Drafts, many versions, quick social clips |
| Pika Soundtrack | “Gives any footage native music, voiceover, and motion-aware sound effects.” | You want a full audio track for a finished clip in one step |
The “use it when” column is our suggestion. For word-for-word narration, use Speech Studio or Pika Speech; Soundtrack is for letting Pika score the whole clip. Beginner basics are in our Pika Speech and Speech Studio guide.
The voiceover workflow, step by step
- Make or gather your clips. Generate them in Video Studio, animate photos with image-to-video, or use your own footage.
- Rough-cut the video so you know how long each shot is.
- Write the script to the cut: one or two lines per shot (see the table below).
- Check the word count against the video length.
- Test a voice on the first two lines in Speech Studio or Pika Speech.
- Generate the full read and download it.
- Lay it on the timeline in your editor, nudging clips to match the words.
- Add music and effects with Pika Music and Pika SFX, kept under the voice.
- Add captions and export.
Pika’s pages don’t list credit costs for speech; check the cost shown in the app and Pika pricing.
How many words fit your video?
A relaxed voiceover runs at roughly 2 to 2.5 words per second. Leave a little silence at the start and end.
| Video length | Words | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 6 seconds | 10–15 | Bumper ad, one hook line |
| 15 seconds | 30–35 | Social ad, Reel |
| 30 seconds | 60–75 | Product ad, Short |
| 60 seconds | 120–150 | Explainer, travel story |
| 2 minutes | 240–300 | Tutorial, short documentary |
Writing the script against your shots
Plan in a simple two-column table: what we see, and what we hear.
| Shot | Visual | Voiceover |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · 0–3s | Steam rising from a mug at sunrise | “Mornings start slow.” |
| 2 · 3–7s | Beans pouring into a grinder, close-up | “Ours start with beans roasted this week.” |
| 3 · 7–11s | Friends laughing at a café table | “Made for the people you share it with.” |
| 4 · 11–15s | Product on the counter, logo | “Harbour Coffee. Order today.” |
- Don’t describe what’s on screen. Add what the picture can’t say.
- Start on the hook. The first line has to earn the next few seconds.
- End with one clear action: order, follow, visit, watch.
- Write for the ear: short sentences, numbers in words, no symbols.
Voiceover scripts by video type
These are our own. Adapt the details.
Product ad (30 seconds)
Your backpack shouldn’t slow you down. The Trail One weighs less than a bottle of water, fits a laptop, and shrugs off rain. Twenty-litre space. Lifetime zips. Built for the commute, the weekend, and everything between. Trail One. Carry less. Go further.
Travel video (60 seconds, opening)
We came for three days. We stayed for ten. Lisbon wakes up slowly — trams climbing the hills, bread still warm in the bakeries, and a light you only notice when you stop rushing.
Tutorial (opening)
In the next two minutes, you’ll turn one photo into a moving video. You don’t need any editing experience. Let’s start with the image.
Short film narration
My grandmother kept every letter she ever received. When she died, we found the one she never opened… and we finally understood why.
YouTube Short hook
This video was made from a single sentence. Here’s the prompt — and here’s what went wrong the first time.
Full project guides: product ads, travel videos, short films and YouTube Shorts.
Mixing voice, music and effects
- Voice first. It should always be the clearest sound.
- Duck the music: lower it while the voice speaks and let it rise in the gaps.
- Choose music without vocals under narration; ask Pika Music for “no vocals.”
- Keep effects short and place them between lines where possible.
- Check on phone speakers as well as headphones; most social video is heard on phones.
- Leave breathing room: a half-second pause before key lines makes them land.
Voiceover tips by platform
| Platform | Tip |
|---|---|
| Instagram Reels / TikTok | Hook in the first line, energetic voice, burned-in captions |
| YouTube Shorts | Talk to one viewer; tease the payoff early |
| YouTube long-form | Calmer pace; chapter-style sections |
| Ads | Product name early and at the end; one call to action |
| Website or product page | Many autoplay muted; make captions carry the message |
Guides: Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
Voiceovers in other languages
To localise a video, Pika offers ElevenLabs Multilingual v2, which Pika says can “localize any voice across 29 languages for studio-grade voiceover,” and ElevenLabs Turbo v2.5, “with support for 32 languages.”
- Translated lines often run longer; trim the script or extend shots.
- Have a native speaker check the translation and the read.
- Translate captions too, so sound and text match.
Voices and rights
- Your own voice: Pika Speech says you can “say it yourself by uploading a sample of your voice.” Only upload your own voice or one you have permission to use.
- Don’t imitate real people in ways that could mislead or harm them.
- Commercial use: Pika’s pricing page lists a commercial license on the Creator and Fancy plans.
- Disclosure: follow platform rules on AI-generated voices and content.
Common voiceover problems and fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Voice runs longer than the video | Cut words, or extend a shot |
| Lines land on the wrong shots | Split the read into lines and place each one separately |
| Mispronounced brand name | Spell it phonetically in the script |
| Voice sounds rushed | Shorter sentences and more full stops |
| Music drowns the voice | Lower music under speech; pick a track without vocals |
| Voice tone doesn’t fit the visuals | Test two or three voices on the same line |
Video voiceover FAQs
Can Pika add a voiceover to my video automatically?
Pika Soundtrack “gives any footage native music, voiceover, and motion-aware sound effects.” For an exact script, use Speech Studio or Pika Speech and add the audio in your editor.
Should I write the script before or after making the video?
Draft a rough script first to plan shots, then finalise it against the cut so lines match the timing.
How many voices can I choose from?
Pika Speech lists “over 50 voice presets.” The app shows the current list.
Can I use my own voice?
Pika Speech says you can upload “a sample of your voice.” Only use your own voice or one you have permission to use.
Is this the official Pika website?
No. pikaais.com is an independent informational guide. Generation, accounts and purchases take place on Pika’s official services.
Voice your next 15-second clip
Write four lines, one per shot, generate the read, and lay it over your cut.
Open Speech Studio ↗Next: Pika Speech guide · Pika Soundtrack · AI audio hub
Sources: Speech Studio, Pika Speech, Pika Soundtrack, Pika apps, Pika homepage and Pika pricing, checked September 24, 2026. Image: Pika. Scripts, timings and tips are our own.