SpeechBee

Guide

Voice typing in Google Docs

Google Docs has free voice typing built in. Open a document, choose Tools, then Voice typing, click the microphone and talk. Here is how to set it up on a Mac, the commands worth knowing, fixes for when it won't hear you, and what to use when you want to dictate outside Docs too.

By the SpeechBee team, who make SpeechBee. Updated 12 October 2026

On this page
  1. How to turn on voice typing
  2. Punctuation you can say
  3. Editing commands
  4. When voice typing doesn't work
  5. Where your voice goes
  6. Dictating into Docs from a dictation app
  7. Questions
  8. Keep reading
  9. Sources

How to turn on voice typing

Voice typing works in the latest versions of Chrome, Edge and Safari. On a Mac, check first that your microphone works and that your browser is allowed to use it, under System Settings, Privacy & Security, Microphone.

  1. Open a document in Google Docs.
  2. Click Tools, then Voice typing.
  3. Click the microphone in the box that appears. The first time, your browser asks for permission to use it. Allow it.
  4. Speak clearly at a normal pace. Text appears where your cursor is.
  5. Click the microphone again to stop.

You can fix a mistake while voice typing is on. Click on the wrong word, correct it, then click back where you want to continue. Words underlined in grey have suggestions; right-click them to see alternatives.

If voice typing is missing from the Tools menu on a work or school account, your administrator may have turned it off.

Punctuation you can say

SayYou get
"period".
"comma",
"question mark"?
"exclamation point"!
"new line"A line break
"new paragraph"A new paragraph

Google notes that punctuation might not be available in every language.

Editing commands

With voice typing on, you can also edit by voice. A few useful ones:

  • "Select paragraph", "select all", or "select" followed by a word or phrase
  • "Bold", "italics", "underline"
  • "Go to the end of the line", "go to the end of the paragraph"
  • "Stop listening" to pause, and "resume" to carry on at the end of the paragraph

Voice commands only work in English, and both your Google account language and the document language must be set to English.

When voice typing doesn't work

  • "We're having trouble hearing you." Move somewhere quieter, plug in an external microphone, or turn up the input volume in System Settings, Sound, Input.
  • The microphone doesn't respond. Check it is plugged in and not in use by another app such as a video call. Make sure your browser has microphone permission on the Mac and for docs.google.com.
  • Commands are typed as words. Your account or document language is not English, or the language is one without voice commands.
  • Voice typing is greyed out or missing. Use Chrome, Edge or Safari, and ask your administrator if it is a work or school account.
  • Still stuck? Restart the browser, then the Mac.

Where your voice goes

Google says that when you use voice typing, your web browser controls the speech-to-text service: it decides how your speech is processed and sends the text to Google Docs. So which service hears you depends on the browser you use. Check that browser's privacy information if this matters for what you are writing.

Dictating into Docs from a dictation app

Google Docs voice typing only works inside Google Docs, and you start it with a click. If you also want to dictate into email, Slack, Notion or Word, a system-wide dictation app does it with the same key everywhere, Google Docs included.

On a Mac you have two:

  • Apple Dictation, free and built in. Press the Microphone key or your Dictation shortcut in any text field, including a Google Doc. See how to dictate on a Mac.
  • SpeechBee, which we make. Hold a key in any app, Docs in any browser included, talk, and the text appears at your cursor. It removes "um" and "uh", learns names through its dictionary, and expands snippets. Speech is transcribed on your Mac and never uploaded. It can also read selected text aloud, which is a quick way to proofread a Doc by ear.
Voice to text
New message

Hi Maya, I'll send the revised proposal tomorrow morning.

SpeechBee's listening indicator on Mac
Hold your key, talk, let go. The text lands at the cursor.
Text to speech
Article

Most people read faster than they speak. SpeechBee reads the sentence you selected out loud, while you keep working.

SpeechBee's Read Aloud player on Mac
Select text, press your reading key, listen.

Dictate into Google Docs and every other app. Free for 7 days.

Voice to text and Read Aloud on your Mac, iPhone and iPad. After the week, $9 a month, $79 a year, or $99 once. Every plan has every feature.

Download for MacGet it for iPhone & iPad

Questions

How do I turn on voice typing in Google Docs on a Mac?

Open your document in Chrome, Edge or Safari, click Tools, then Voice typing, and click the microphone. Allow microphone access if your browser asks.

Does Google Docs voice typing work in Safari?

Yes. Google lists the latest versions of Chrome, Edge and Safari as supported.

Why is voice typing not showing in Google Docs?

Use a supported browser. On a work or school account, your administrator may have turned it off.

How do I add punctuation with Google Docs voice typing?

Say "period", "comma", "question mark", "exclamation point", "new line" or "new paragraph". Punctuation is not available in every language.

Can I use voice typing in Google Docs on iPhone?

The Tools menu option is for Docs in a computer browser. On iPhone, tap the microphone on the keyboard to dictate into the Docs app. See how to dictate on iPhone.

Is Google Docs voice typing free?

Yes. It is part of Google Docs at no extra cost.

Keep reading

Sources

All checked on 12 October 2026.