How to dictate in Google Docs with voice typing (and outside Docs)

The Loro team Updated October 13, 2026 3 min read

In short

In Google Docs, open Tools › Voice typing (or, in Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + S; on a Mac, ⌘ + Shift + S), click the microphone and talk. It's free and works in Chrome, Edge and Safari, but only inside Google Docs. To dictate in Docs and in any other app with clean text, use Loro: hold Ctrl + Win (fn on a Mac), talk and let go.

How to turn on voice typing

Open a document in Google Docs.
Go to Tools › Voice typing. In Chrome you can also use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + S (on a Mac, ⌘ + Shift + S).
A microphone appears. Pick the language in its menu if needed.
Click the microphone and talk. To finish, click it again.

The first time, the browser asks for permission to use the microphone.

Punctuation and commands

You can dictate punctuation by saying "period", "comma", "question mark", "exclamation point", "new line" or "new paragraph". In English you can also use voice commands to edit and format, like selecting text or making it bold.

Its limits

It only works in Google Docs (and in Slides speaker notes). It doesn't work in Gmail, Sheets or other apps.
It types word for word: the "um"s and "uh"s stay in the text, and it doesn't understand when you correct yourself.
It needs a supported browser (Chrome, Edge or Safari) and a connection.

How to dictate in Google Docs with Loro

Download Loro for free for Windows or Mac.
Put your cursor in your Google Docs document.
Hold Ctrl + Win (fn on a Mac) and talk.
Let go. The text appears with periods, commas and capitals.

An example, from a student writing a summary. They say: "um, the family decides to stay in the town, uh, and start over even though nobody knows them". Loro types: "The family decides to stay in the town and start over, even though nobody knows them.".

And because Loro works in any app, you dictate the same way in Gmail, Sheets, WhatsApp or ChatGPT, without switching tools.

Docs voice typing vs Loro

	Google Docs voice typing	Loro
Where it works	Only in Google Docs	Any app
How you use it	Tools › Voice typing, click the microphone	Hold Ctrl + Win (fn on a Mac)
Price	Free	Free up to 2,000 words a week; Pro: USD 9.99 a month
Punctuation	By saying it	On its own
Removes "um" and "uh"	No	Yes
Understands self-corrections	No	Yes, online
Offline	No	Yes

Try Loro for free

Dictate in any app and get notes from your meetings, with no bot. For Windows and Mac, no card needed.

Download for free

Frequently asked questions

How do I turn on dictation in Google Docs?

Go to Tools › Voice typing. A microphone appears: click it and talk. In Chrome, the shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + S (⌘ + Shift + S on a Mac).

Why isn't Google Docs voice typing working?

Make sure you're using Chrome, Edge or Safari, that the browser has permission to use the microphone, and that you're inside a Google Docs document.

Can I use voice typing in Gmail or Sheets?

No: Google's voice typing only works in Docs (and in Slides speaker notes). Loro does work in Gmail, Sheets and any app.

Does voice typing work in other languages?

Yes, it supports many languages, including Spanish. Editing and formatting voice commands only work in English. Loro dictates in English and Spanish.

What about on my phone?

In the Docs app on your phone, use the keyboard's microphone to dictate.

Sources

Google, Type and edit with your voice and Google Docs keyboard shortcuts, checked on October 13, 2026.

Keep reading

Voice dictation Dictate in Word Three ways to dictate in Word: Microsoft 365's Dictate button, Windows or Mac dictation, and Loro, which types clean text in Word and in any other app. Step by step, and which one is worth it.

Voice dictation Voice typing on Windows How to dictate with your voice on Windows 10 and 11 using Windows + H, how to add punctuation, what to do if it doesn't work, and when an app like Loro, which cleans up your text and works offline, is worth it.

Voice dictation Dictation on a Mac How to dictate with your voice on a Mac: turn on macOS dictation, pick a shortcut, punctuation and commands, and when an app like Loro, which cleans up your text and also takes notes of your meetings, is worth it.

Voice dictation Dictate in Google Sheets Google Sheets has no voice typing: Google's only works in Docs and in Slides speaker notes. How to dictate into a Sheets cell on Windows and Mac, with clean text, and what it's good for.

Google Docs, Windows and macOS are trademarks of their owners. Loro is not affiliated with them. Each app's details come from its official pages, checked on October 13, 2026.