# KolWrite speech-to-text API

> Send audio, poll the job, and read back segments with word timings and speaker labels as JSON, TXT or SRT. The language is detected automatically or set per request; the Oracle models also translate. HTML: https://console.kolwrite.com/

## Quickstart

```bash
curl https://app.kolwrite.com/transcribe \
  -H "x-api-key: $KOLWRITE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"audio_url": "https://example.com/meeting.m4a", "model": "oracle", "language": "auto", "include_diarization": true, "output_format": "json"}'
```

```bash
curl https://app.kolwrite.com/transcribe/JOB_ID \
  -H "x-api-key: $KOLWRITE_API_KEY"
```

## What the API returns

- Word-level start and end times in JSON and SRT.
- Speaker labels from diarization, or one label per physical audio channel.
- Translation into another language on the Oracle models.
- JSON, plain text or SRT, selected per request.
- A webhook when the job finishes, or poll the job yourself.
- Language detected automatically, or set per request (100 languages).

## Pricing

Credits per hour of audio, charged per job. 1 credit = US$1.20.

| Model | `model` value | Credits / audio hour | US$ / audio hour | US$ / minute | Translation (`translate_to`) | Use it for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Base | `base` | 0.40 | US$0.48 | US$0.008 | no | Low-cost transcription, word timestamps and speaker separation for clear audio and high volume. |
| Oracle Mini | `oracle_mini` | 0.80 | US$0.96 | US$0.016 | yes | Fast Oracle tier; the lowest-priced model that can translate (translate_to). |
| Oracle | `oracle` | 1.20 | US$1.44 | US$0.024 | yes | Production transcription and multilingual work, with translation. |
| Oracle Pro | `oracle_pro` | 1.40 | US$1.68 | US$0.028 | yes | Premium Oracle quality for demanding production audio. |
| Oracle Max | `oracle_max` | 3.00 | US$3.60 | US$0.060 | yes | Maximum quality for difficult or high-stakes audio. |
| Core (legacy) | `core` | 1.00 | US$1.20 | US$0.020 | no | Legacy. Kept for existing integrations; it is the default when model is omitted. |
| Edge (legacy) | `edge` | 1.20 | US$1.44 | US$0.024 | no | Legacy. Previous-generation higher-accuracy model for existing integrations. |

## Next

- API reference: https://console.kolwrite.com/public_api_docs.md
- Languages: https://console.kolwrite.com/languages/index.md
- Use cases: https://console.kolwrite.com/use-cases/index.md
- Get an API key: https://console.kolwrite.com/auth