> Section "Overview" of the AthanLab Developer API documentation (API version 1.0.0). On the web: https://athanlab.com/docs#overview. Whole documentation as Markdown: https://athanlab.com/docs.md

# Overview

The AthanLab API turns Burmese text into speech with the same engine, voices and character balance as the AthanLab app. It works with asynchronous jobs, so no request waits for audio.

## How it works

1. **Create.** `POST /speech` returns `202 Accepted` with the job.
2. **Poll.** `GET /speech/{id}` until its `status` is no longer `processing`, as described in [Polling](https://athanlab.com/docs#polling).
3. **Download.** `GET /speech/{id}/audio` returns the MP3 or WAV file.

To listen on athanlab.com instead of downloading a file, send the text to [AthanInbox](https://athanlab.com/docs#athaninbox) with `POST /deliveries`.

## At a glance

| Item | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Base URL | `https://api.athanlab.com/api/v1` |
| Authentication | An API key in `X-API-Key` or `Authorization: Bearer`. See [Authentication](https://athanlab.com/docs#authentication). |
| Format | JSON over HTTPS |
| Output | MP3 or WAV |
| Text per job | Up to 5,000 characters. See [Rate limits and quotas](https://athanlab.com/docs#limits). |
| Audio kept | 30 days |
| AthanInbox | Sends audio to your AthanInbox on athanlab.com, where it stays until you delete it. See [AthanInbox](https://athanlab.com/docs#athaninbox). |
| Specification | [OpenAPI 3.1](https://api.athanlab.com/api/v1/openapi.json). There is no official client library. Generate one from the OpenAPI document. |
| Terms | [API Terms](https://athanlab.com/api-terms) · [Terms of Service](https://athanlab.com/terms) · [Acceptable Use Policy](https://athanlab.com/aup) |