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  "identifier" : "/documentation/AppKit/NSSpeechSynthesizer/SpeechPropertyKey/rate",
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# rate

Get or set a synthesizer’s speech rate.

```
static let rate: NSSpeechSynthesizer.SpeechPropertyKey
```

## Discussion

An <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/Foundation/NSNumber> object that specifies the synthesizer’s speaking rate. The range of supported rates is not predefined by the [`NSSpeechSynthesizer`](/documentation/AppKit/NSSpeechSynthesizer) class; each speech synthesizer provides its own range of speech rates. Average human speech occurs at a rate of 180 to 220 words per minute.

This property is used with [`setObject(_:forProperty:)`](/documentation/AppKit/NSSpeechSynthesizer/setObject(_:forProperty:)) and [`object(forProperty:)`](/documentation/AppKit/NSSpeechSynthesizer/object(forProperty:)).

---

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