Google Docs Voice Typing: How to Use It (and What to Do When It Won't)
Google Docs has free voice typing built in. Here's how to turn it on, the commands for punctuation and new lines, which browsers support it, and what to use when it isn't an option.
To use voice typing in Google Docs, open a document in Chrome, Edge or Safari, click Tools > Voice typing, click the microphone, and start talking. It's free and built in, and according to Google's help page it works in 100+ languages and regional variants.
Below are the exact steps, the voice commands for punctuation, and what to use when Docs voice typing isn't an option (on a phone, offline, or in another app).
How do I turn on voice typing in Google Docs?
Open your document, go to Tools, then Voice typing. A microphone box appears; click it when you're ready, speak, and click it again when you're done.
The steps from Google Docs Help:
- Open a document in Google Docs in a supported browser.
- Click Tools, then Voice typing. A microphone box appears.
- When you're ready to speak, click the microphone.
- Speak clearly and at a normal volume and pace.
- When you're done, click the microphone again.
The first time, your browser will ask for microphone permission. Allow it, or voice typing will sit there politely doing nothing.
Which browsers support Google Docs voice typing?
Google lists the latest versions of Chrome, Edge and Safari. If you're on another browser and don't see Voice typing under Tools, switching to one of those three is the first fix to try.
How do I add punctuation with voice typing?
Say the punctuation out loud. Google's supported commands include "period," "comma," "exclamation point," "question mark," "new line" and "new paragraph" (source).
One catch: Google notes that voice commands are available only in English. You can dictate in many languages, but in non-English languages you'll add punctuation by hand afterwards.
What are the voice typing commands at a glance?
Here's what Google documents for punctuation and line breaks:
| Say this | You get |
|---|---|
| "Period" | . |
| "Comma" | , |
| "Question mark" | ? |
| "Exclamation point" | ! |
| "New line" | A line break |
| "New paragraph" | A new paragraph |
A tip that saves editing time: speak in full sentences and pause briefly before saying the punctuation. Rushing "period new paragraph" together is where most mix-ups happen.
Why isn't voice typing working in Google Docs?
The usual causes are an unsupported browser, a blocked microphone, or a muted or wrong input device. Check you're on the latest Chrome, Edge or Safari, then check the browser's microphone permission for docs.google.com and your computer's sound input settings.
If the menu item is missing entirely, you're probably in a browser Google doesn't support for this feature. If the mic box appears but nothing types, it's almost always permissions or the wrong microphone selected.
Can I use voice typing in Google Docs on my phone?
Google's voice typing help page covers using Docs on a computer. On a phone, the simplest route is your keyboard's own dictation: on iPhone, Apple says you can dictate text anywhere you can type it, which includes the Google Docs app.
If you dictate a lot on iPhone and want it to stay private, DictaWiz is our voice keyboard that runs speech recognition on the phone itself and works in any app, Docs included. We cover the built-in iPhone options in more detail in speech to text on iPhone.
What if I want to transcribe a recording instead of dictating live?
Docs voice typing is built for live dictation through your microphone, not for uploading an audio file. For a recording, use a transcription tool and paste the text into Docs.
Free Voice Reader's speech-to-text mode runs OpenAI's Whisper model in your browser: you load the model once (about 565 MB), upload an audio file, and get a transcript without the audio leaving your computer. It handles 99+ languages. For voice memos specifically, see how to transcribe voice memos.
Can Google Docs read text back to me?
Not with voice typing; that only goes one way. To hear a document read aloud, see our guide to Google Docs text to speech, which covers the built-in options and pasting into Free Voice Reader.
Listening back to what you dictated is also the fastest way to catch the word voice typing misheard. "Their" versus "there" looks fine at a glance and sounds wrong out loud.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Docs voice typing free?
Yes. It's built into Google Docs at no cost.
What languages does Google Docs voice typing support?
Google says 100+ languages and regional variants, but punctuation voice commands work only in English.
Does Google Docs voice typing work offline?
Google's help page doesn't say it works offline, so plan on needing an internet connection. For offline dictation on iPhone, Apple says its Dictation is processed on the device in many languages, with no internet connection required.
Can I voice type in Google Slides or Sheets?
Google's voice typing help page covers Docs. For other apps, keyboard dictation on your phone or computer works anywhere you can type.
Need the other direction? Paste your doc into Free Voice Reader and hear it read back, free and with no sign-up.
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.