By Pratie, founder of JustSpeak · Published October 20, 2026
The short answer
- In Google Docs on a computer, choose Tools → Voice typing or press Ctrl + Shift + S (⌘ + Shift + S on a Mac), click the microphone and talk.
- Say “period”, “comma” or “new paragraph” for punctuation. Voice commands only work in English.
- It switches off when you click away or pause for a while. To talk into any app, not just Docs, use a dictation app like JustSpeak.
Turn on voice typing
- Open your document in Chrome, Edge or Safari on a computer.
- Choose Tools → Voice typing, or press Ctrl + Shift + S (Windows and Chromebook) or ⌘ + Shift + S (Mac).
- A microphone box appears. If you're not dictating in English, pick your language from the menu above it.
- Click the microphone and allow access when your browser asks. Then talk.
- Click the microphone again, or say “stop listening”, when you're done.
In Google Slides, the same feature is under Tools → Dictate speaker notes. Voice commands don't work there.
Punctuation and voice commands
Say the punctuation out loud where you want it:
- “Period”, “comma”, “question mark”, “exclamation point”
- “New line” and “new paragraph”
Docs also understands editing commands, like “select paragraph”, “bold”, “delete” and “undo”. Voice commands only work in English, and both your Google account and the document need to be set to English.
Why voice typing keeps stopping, and how to fix it
- You clicked away. Voice typing switches off when you move to another tab or app. Click the microphone again when you come back.
- You paused for a while. After a stretch of silence it stops listening. Click the microphone to carry on.
- Another app has the microphone. Zoom, Teams or a second browser tab can hold on to it. Close them and try again.
- The browser blocked the microphone. Click the icon to the left of the web address, open the site settings and set Microphone to Allow.
- It's using the wrong microphone. Pick the right input in your computer's sound settings.
- “We're having trouble hearing you.” Move somewhere quieter, plug in a headset, or turn up the input volume.
No voice typing in your Tools menu?
Voice typing is only in Docs in a web browser on a computer. Use Chrome, Edge or Safari. In the Google Docs app on a phone or tablet there's no Voice typing menu: tap the microphone on your keyboard instead.
When Docs voice typing isn't enough
Docs voice typing only works inside Google Docs. It won't type into Gmail, Word, Slack, Notion, ChatGPT or a web form. If you want the same thing everywhere, that's what JustSpeak is for.
| JustSpeak | Docs voice typing | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it works | Any app on Mac and Windows, Docs included | Google Docs and Slides notes, in the browser |
| Price | 30 free minutes, then $8 a month or $99 once | Free |
| Punctuation | Added for you, or say it | You say it |
| Clicking away | Keeps recording until you tap the shortcut again | Switches it off |
| Editing by voice | No. You edit with the keyboard | Yes, in English |
| Phones | Not available | Use your keyboard's microphone |
With JustSpeak you click where you want to write, tap Ctrl + Space, and talk for up to ten minutes. Your words are typed at the cursor with punctuation in place, in over 60 languages. Clean mode drops the ums, and the Dictionary keeps names and terms spelled right. Writing in Word too? See voice typing in Word and other editors.
What it costs
Start with 30 free minutes, no card. After that it's $8 a month, $59 a year, or $99 once for life. Every paid plan is unlimited dictation on your own computers. If a disability or painful hands make typing hard, email support@justspeak.live and we'll take 20% off any plan.
Questions
- Is Google Docs voice typing free?
- Yes. It's built into Google Docs and works with any Google account, in Chrome, Edge or Safari on a computer.
- What's the keyboard shortcut for voice typing in Google Docs?
- Ctrl + Shift + S on Windows and Chromebooks, and ⌘ + Shift + S on a Mac. It opens the microphone box; click the microphone to start.
- Why is voice typing not working in Google Docs?
- Most often the browser has blocked the microphone, another app is using it, or you're in a browser that doesn't support it. Allow the microphone in the site settings, close Zoom or Teams, and use Chrome, Edge or Safari.
- Can I use voice typing in Google Docs on my phone?
- Not through the Tools menu. In the Docs app, tap the microphone on your phone's keyboard to dictate instead.
- Does Google Docs voice typing add punctuation?
- Say it: “period”, “comma”, “question mark”, “new paragraph”. Those commands only work in English. JustSpeak adds punctuation as you talk, in any app.