Script supported XML tags

List of supported XML tags for Synthesia scripts.

Synthesia API scripts support a set of HTML-like tags that let you control timing and pronunciation in generated videos.

Quick Reference

TagPurposeExample
<break>Insert a pauseHello <break time="2s"/> world
<sub>Control pronunciation<sub alias="Syn-the-zia">Synthesia</sub>

Insert Pauses with <break>

Use the <break> tag to add pauses or delays in narration:

  • The time attribute accepts seconds (s) .
  • Works with all voices.

Syntax:

<break time="1s"/>

Example:

Hello <break time="2s"/> world

Control Pronunciation with <sub>

Use the <sub> tag to make the avatar say one word while displaying another as on-screen text:

  • alias is what the avatar says.
  • Inner text is what shows as captions.
  • Behaves the same way as SSML sub.

Syntax:

<sub alias="spoken text">caption text</sub>

Example:

The word is <sub alias="Syn-the-zia">Synthesia</sub>