Google Docs Text to Speech: How to Have Docs Read Aloud
Google Docs doesn't have a read aloud button. Here are four ways to have a Google Doc read to you, with the exact steps from Google, Apple and Microsoft.
Google Docs doesn't have its own text to speech button. To have a Google Doc read aloud, you use a screen reader with Docs' screen reader support, your computer's built-in speech feature (Select-to-speak on a Chromebook, Speak selection on a Mac), or download the doc and play it in a free tool like Free Voice Reader.
Here's each option, step by step, and which one fits what you're doing.
Does Google Docs have a read aloud feature?
No. Google's help page says the Docs editors "are designed to work with screen readers using speech or braille output," which means the speaking is done by a separate screen reader app such as ChromeVox, VoiceOver, NVDA or JAWS (Google Docs Help).
So "read aloud in Google Docs" really means pairing Docs with something that speaks. The good news is that every major computer has a free option built in.
How do I have Google Docs read aloud on a Chromebook?
Turn on Select-to-speak: press Alt + Shift + S (or select the time at the bottom right), go to Settings > Accessibility, and under Text-to-Speech turn on Select-to-speak. Then hold the Search key and drag over text, or highlight text and press Search + S (Chromebook Help).
To stop it, press Ctrl or the Search key. This is the simplest option for students on school Chromebooks.
How do I have Google Docs read aloud on a Mac?
Use Speak selection. Go to System Settings > Accessibility > Read & Speak, turn on Speak selection, highlight text in your doc, and press Option-Esc (Apple support).
It isn't limited to Docs: it works wherever you can select text. More Mac options are in our text to speech on Mac guide.
How do I turn on screen reader support in Google Docs?
In Docs, open Tools > Accessibility settings and check Turn on screen reader support, or press Ctrl + Alt + Z on Windows or Command + Option + Z on a Mac (Google Docs Help). You also need a screen reader running, and Google recommends the latest screen reader with the latest Chrome.
This route is built for people who use a screen reader full time. If you only want to listen to an essay, the other options are less to learn. We wrote more about listening as an accessibility tool in offline text to speech for accessibility.
Which option should I use?
Pick by device and by how much you want to hear:
| Option | Device | Best for | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Select-to-speak | Chromebook | Highlighting a passage to hear it | Turn on once in Settings |
| Speak selection | Mac | Highlighting a passage to hear it | Turn on once in Settings |
| Screen reader + Docs screen reader support | Any | Full-time screen reader users | Install or enable a screen reader |
| Download as .docx, play in Free Voice Reader | Any browser | Long docs, natural voices, MP3 | None |
How do I listen to a whole Google Doc with natural voices?
Download it and upload it to Free Voice Reader. In Docs, click File > Download and choose Microsoft Word (.docx) (Google Docs Editors Help), then on freevoicereader.com click Upload, pick a voice and press play.
For a short section, copy and paste instead. Free cloud voices read up to 5,000 characters per conversion, and the local voices, which run in your browser after a one-time download of roughly 90 to 330 MB (it depends on your browser), have no limit and keep your text on your computer.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Google Docs read aloud extension?
Some Chrome extensions add read-aloud buttons. Check the permissions an extension asks for, since it can read your documents. The built-in options above need no extension.
Can Google Docs read aloud on an iPhone or Android phone?
Phones have their own screen readers and speak features. The Google help pages above cover computers; on a phone, use your device's accessibility settings.
Can I save a Google Doc as an MP3?
Yes, by downloading it as .docx and converting it in Free Voice Reader. MP3 download comes with Lifetime Boost or a subscription. See text to MP3.
Is listening to a doc good for proofreading?
Yes. Hearing your draft makes missing and repeated words much easier to catch. We cover this in our Word Read Aloud guide, and it applies just as well to Docs.
Got a doc to proof? Paste it in and press play.
Transparency Notice: This article was written by AI, reviewed by humans. We fact-check all content for accuracy and ensure it provides genuine value to our readers.