Quick Answer
Click into any text field, then press the dictation key (the microphone icon, usually where Caps Lock would be on a standard keyboard) or open it from Quick Settings > Accessibility > Dictation. Speak naturally and the text appears as you talk; say “period” or “comma” to add punctuation by voice.
Where Voice Typing Works
ChromeOS voice typing is built into the operating system rather than a single app, so it works inside almost any text field: Google Docs, the address bar, search boxes, chat apps, and most Android apps installed on the device. It transcribes speech to text locally through Google’s voice recognition and doesn’t require installing anything extra.
How to Turn It On and Use It
Step 1: Enable dictation, if it isn’t already on
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Text-to-Speech, or search “Dictation” directly in Settings, and toggle it on.
Step 2: Click into a text field
Voice typing only activates inside an active text field, like a document, a search box, or a message compose window.
Step 3: Start dictating
Press the dictation key on the keyboard, or click the microphone icon if one appears in the field. A small indicator shows when it’s actively listening.
Step 4: Add punctuation and formatting by voice
Say words like “period,” “comma,” “question mark,” or “new line” to insert the corresponding punctuation without touching the keyboard.
Step 5: Stop dictating
Press the dictation key again, or click the microphone icon a second time to turn it off.
Still Stuck?
If dictation transcribes nothing at all, check that the correct microphone is selected under Settings > Audio, and confirm the site or app has microphone permission if you’re using it inside a web page. If accuracy is poor, background noise is the most common cause, and using a headset microphone usually helps more than any software setting. For filling out and signing documents by voice or otherwise, see our guide on filling out and signing PDFs on a Chromebook.
FAQ
Does voice typing work without an internet connection?
No, it sends audio to Google’s servers for transcription, so it requires an active connection to work.
Can I use voice typing in a language other than English?
Yes, change the dictation language under Settings > Advanced > Languages and inputs before starting, and it will transcribe in that language instead.
Is voice typing the same feature as Gemini’s voice input?
No. Dictation types exactly what you say into a text field, while Gemini’s voice input processes your request and responds conversationally rather than transcribing it verbatim.
