How to use voice typing in Google Docs on a Mac
Google Docs has its own voice typing in Chrome, Safari and Edge. Here is how to turn it on, the shortcut, the punctuation commands, and two ways to dictate into Docs that work in any browser.
There are three ways to dictate into a Google Doc on a Mac: Google's own voice typing, Apple Dictation, and a dictation app like Speechy. Here is how each one works and when to pick it.
1. Google Docs voice typing
Google Docs has voice typing built in. It runs in the browser, in the latest Chrome, Safari or Edge.
- Open a document and choose Tools›Voice typing. A microphone box appears.
- Click the microphone and start talking. Click it again to stop, or say "stop listening".
- On a Mac the shortcut is ⌘⇧S. Google's shortcut list notes that it works in Chrome.
You say punctuation out loud: "period", "comma", "question mark", "exclamation point", "new line" and "new paragraph". There are also commands to select and format text, like "select paragraph" or "italics". Voice commands only work in English, and only when both your Google account and the document are set to English. Dictation itself works in many more languages.
Say it. Speechy writes it.
Hold Fn, speak, and clean text lands in any app on your Mac.
Two limits to know: your Workspace admin can turn voice typing off, and it only works inside Docs. In Google Slides, a similar option is Tools›Dictate speaker notes, which types into the speaker notes only.
2. Apple Dictation
Apple Dictation is built into macOS and types into any text field you can click, including a Google Doc in any browser.
- Turn it on in System Settings›Keyboard›Dictation.
- Click into the document and press the Microphone key, your Dictation shortcut, or choose Edit›Start Dictation.
- Press Escape, or the shortcut again, to stop.
Apple Dictation stops on its own after 30 seconds without speech, so pause for too long and you'll need to start it again.
Say it. Speechy writes it.
Hold Fn, speak, and clean text lands in any app on your Mac.
3. Speechy
Speechy is a dictation app for Mac that works in Docs the same way it works everywhere else: click into the document, hold Fn, speak, and let go. Your voice is transcribed on your Mac, so it works offline, and it keeps listening until you let go. Say a list and it comes out as one:
Connect Google Drive in Speechy and you can also find your Docs by voice from any app, without opening Drive. See Speechy for Google Docs.
Which one to use
| Google voice typing | Apple Dictation | Speechy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works in | Google Docs, in Chrome, Safari or Edge | Any text field on your Mac | Any app on your Mac |
| Punctuation | Spoken commands, English only | Spoken commands | Added for you, ums removed |
| Long pauses | Click or say "stop listening" | Stops after 30 seconds of silence | Listens until you let go |
| Cost | Free | Free | Paid, with a 3-day trial |
For a few sentences in a Doc, Google's voice typing is free and good. If you dictate in more than one app, or want clean text without saying "comma", use Apple Dictation or Speechy.
Checked on 21 October 2026 in Google's voice typing help, Docs shortcuts and Apple's Dictation guide.