To make an Audio Overview in NotebookLM, open your notebook, go to the Studio panel, and click Audio Overview. NotebookLM turns your sources into a podcast-style chat between two AI hosts in a couple of minutes. You can change the length and format, join the conversation, and download the file.
Applies to: NotebookLM on the web at notebooklm.google.com, signed in with a Google account. It works on the free plan. You need at least one source in your notebook, such as a PDF, Google Doc, website, or pasted text. Audio generation supports 80+ languages.
How do you generate an Audio Overview?
- Go to notebooklm.google.com and open a notebook, or create one and add your sources.
- Open the Studio panel on the right side.
- Click Audio Overview to start generating.
- Wait a couple of minutes, then press Play to listen.
How do you customize the Audio Overview?
- On the Audio Overview card, click Customize before you generate.
- Choose a length: Shorter, Default, or Longer. Length options are English only.
- Pick a format: Deep Dive, Brief, Critique, or Debate.
- Add a focus prompt to steer the hosts toward the topics you care about.
- To change the spoken language, open Settings and set the Output language.
How do you join the chat or download the audio?
- Generate a new Audio Overview in the Deep Dive format. Interactive mode works only on newly made Deep Dive overviews.
- Press Play, then click Join to ask a question by voice or text. The hosts answer from your sources, then carry on.
- To save the file, click the three-dot More menu on the Audio Overview and choose Download. It saves as a WAV file.
FAQ
Is NotebookLM Audio Overview free?
Yes. You can make Audio Overviews on the free plan. Paid plans mainly raise limits, like how many you can generate per day and how many sources you can add.
What languages does Audio Overview support?
Audio generation supports 80+ languages. Set the language under Settings, then Output language. The interactive Join feature has more limited language support.
Why can I not use interactive mode?
Interactive mode only works on newly generated overviews in the Deep Dive format. If the Join button is missing, generate a fresh Deep Dive Audio Overview.
Wrapping up
An Audio Overview turns your reading pile into a short podcast you can play anywhere. Try different formats and a focus prompt to get the version that fits how you learn.
