> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.suki.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Audio Dictation Overview

> Learn about Audio Dictation, when to use it, and how to integrate it into your application

Audio Dictation converts provider speech into text while a session is active. Providers can dictate during a visit or into a field in your application while your product receives partial and final transcript text.

Audio Dictation is different from **Clinical documentation (Ambient)**, which transcribes the visit and generates structured clinical notes, LOINC-based sections, and related outputs. Audio Dictation gives you **speech-to-text** you can route into your own UI, EHR fields, or downstream workflows.

## When to use Audio Dictation

Choose Audio Dictation when you need:

* Real-time transcription without generating a full ambient clinical note
* Transcript text you control in your application (display, edit, save, or send elsewhere)
* Browser-based dictation with Suki-managed UI (Web SDK or Dictation SDK), or full control with REST and WebSocket APIs

<Tip>
  Choose [Ambient clinical documentation](/documentation/ambient-documentation) when you need visit capture, note generation, structured clinical data, and related ambient outputs.
</Tip>

## Related topics

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Audio Dictation" icon="microphone" href="/documentation/dictation" arrow={true}>
    Capabilities, common use cases, how dictation works, and how to choose APIs, Web SDK, or Dictation SDK.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Basic Usage" icon="code" href="/documentation/dictation-basic-usage" arrow={true}>
    Step-by-step Partner API workflow: create a session, stream audio, receive transcripts, and end the session.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dictation Audio Streaming" icon="wifi" href="/documentation/dictation-streaming" arrow={true}>
    WebSocket handshake, wire format, and message order for `GET /ws/transcribe`.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Related SDKs and APIs documentation

Refer to these guides when you already know your integration path and want to dive deeper:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Dictation API References" icon="code" href="/api-reference/audio-transcription/create-session" arrow={true}>
    REST and WebSocket references for transcription sessions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Web SDK for Audio Dictation" icon="js" href="/web-sdk/dictation-overview" arrow={true}>
    JavaScript and React dictation with Suki Web SDK packages.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dictation SDK" icon="window" href="/dictation-sdk/introduction" arrow={true}>
    Hosted iframe dictation with Suki Dictation SDK packages.

    <Note>
      This SDK is in <Badge color="yellow" size="sm" icon="sparkles">Beta</Badge> phase of development.
    </Note>
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Next steps

<Icon icon="file-lines" iconType="solid" /> Complete the [Partner onboarding](/documentation/partner-onboarding) process and get your credentials.