How to Use Read Aloud in Word (Windows, Mac, Web and Mobile)
Word can read your document out loud. Here are the exact steps and shortcuts for Windows, Mac, the web and mobile, plus what to do when you want a different voice.
To use Read Aloud in Word, open the Review tab and select Read Aloud. On Windows you can also press Ctrl + Alt + Space to start, and on a Mac, Control + Option + Space (Microsoft support).
Below are the steps for every device, how to change the voice, and a free option for when Word's voices or features don't fit.
How do I make Word read to me on Windows?
Select Review > Read Aloud, or press Ctrl + Alt + Space. Press Ctrl + Space to play or pause.
Microsoft lists Read Aloud for Word in Microsoft 365, Office 2021 and Office 2019.
How do I make Word read to me on a Mac?
The steps are the same: Review > Read Aloud. The shortcuts are Control + Option + Space to start and Option + Space to play or pause.
If you'd rather have your whole Mac read text in any app, see text to speech on Mac for the built-in Speak selection shortcut.
What about Word on the web, iPhone, iPad and Android?
Each version has it, in a slightly different spot. Here's where to find it, according to Microsoft's support page:
| Device | Where to find it | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Review > Read Aloud | Ctrl + Alt + Space (start), Ctrl + Space (play/pause) |
| Mac | Review > Read Aloud | Control + Option + Space (start), Option + Space (play/pause) |
| Word for the web | View > Immersive Reader, then play | None listed |
| iPad | Menu icon > Read Aloud | None listed |
| iPhone | Pen icon > Review > gear icon > Read Aloud | None listed |
| Android | Menu icon > Read Aloud | None listed |
How do I change the voice or speed?
Select the gear icon in the Read Aloud controls. From there you can drag the reading speed slider and pick a different voice under Voice Selection.
The voices available depend on your device and operating system. If none of them suits you, the free option below gives you a different set.
Can Word read only the part I select?
On Windows, yes, with the Speak command. Select text, then click Speak selected text in the Quick Access Toolbar; Speak reads only your selection, while Read Aloud continues through the document.
Speak is Windows-only. On other devices, Read Aloud is the option.
Is there a free alternative to Word's Read Aloud?
Yes. Upload your .docx to Free Voice Reader, pick a voice, and press play. No account needed, and you get a different range of natural voices, including private local voices that run in your browser.
That's useful when you want to listen away from your desk, or when you want an MP3 of your document (MP3 download comes with Lifetime Boost or a subscription, see our text to MP3 guide). It also reads PDFs, which Word's Read Aloud doesn't, see reading a PDF out loud.
Why listen to your own writing?
Hearing a draft read back is one of the most effective ways to proofread. Your eyes fill in missing words and skip doubled ones; a voice reading exactly what's on the page doesn't.
It also exposes sentences that are too long. If the voice runs out of breath, so will your reader. For more on listening as a reading aid, see our post on offline text to speech for accessibility.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I find Read Aloud in Word?
Check that you're on the Review tab and using Microsoft 365, Office 2021 or Office 2019. Older versions may not have it.
What's the shortcut for Read Aloud in Word?
Ctrl + Alt + Space on Windows, Control + Option + Space on a Mac.
Can Word read aloud in other languages?
The voice options depend on your device. For a wide choice of languages in one place, our free voice list covers 75 languages, including 45 Spanish voices. See Spanish text to speech.
Does Read Aloud work offline?
Microsoft's support page doesn't say. If privacy matters, Free Voice Reader's local voices generate speech in your browser and keep your text on your computer.
Want a second voice for proofreading? Upload your Word file and press play.
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