How to Check Grammar and Spelling in Google Docs

This guide walks you through using Google Docs’ built-in spell check and grammar suggestions. You’ll learn how to run a manual check, enable automatic suggestions, and fix errors efficiently. No special setup is needed—just a Google account and a document open in your browser.

What You’ll Need

A Google account (free)
A document in Google Docs
Internet connection (for web version)

Step-by-Step

Open your document in Google Docs. Make sure you’re in the editing mode (not “Suggesting” or “Viewing”). You can check the mode in the top-right corner—it should say “Editing.”
Run a spell check manually: Click Tools in the top menu, then select Spelling and grammar > Spelling and grammar check. A panel will open on the right side of your screen.
Review suggestions: The panel shows the first issue. For each, you can:
- Accept the suggested change (click the checkmark or “Accept”).
- Ignore it (click the X or “Ignore”).
- Add to dictionary if it’s a word you use often.
Continue through all issues: Click the arrow to move to the next suggestion. Google Docs will cycle through spelling errors, then grammar issues, then punctuation.
Enable automatic suggestions (optional): To see red squiggly lines for spelling and blue for grammar as you type, go to Tools > Spelling and grammar > Show spelling suggestions and Show grammar suggestions. Make sure both are checked.
Right-click for quick fixes: If you see a red or blue underline, right-click on the word. A menu will appear with suggestions. Click one to apply it, or choose “Ignore” or “Add to dictionary.”
Check the entire document at once: You can also press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+I (Windows/Chrome) or Cmd+Option+Shift+I (Mac) to open the spell check panel directly.
Use the “Spelling and grammar” menu for more options: Under Tools > Spelling and grammar, you’ll also find “Ignore all” (to skip all instances) and “Add to dictionary” for the current word.

Common Mistakes

Not enabling suggestions: If you don’t see red/blue lines, the suggestions might be turned off. Check the Tools menu.
Clicking “Ignore all” accidentally: This hides all instances of that word, even if it’s actually a typo. Use it sparingly.
Forgetting to switch to “Editing” mode: In “Suggesting” mode, the spell check panel may not work the same way.
Relying only on the manual check: The manual check may miss context-based errors. Read your document aloud or use the “Read aloud” feature under Tools > Accessibility to catch awkward phrasing.

Tips

Add custom words: If you use technical terms or names, add them to your dictionary so they won’t be flagged again.
Use the “Grammar” feature for clarity: Google Docs highlights complex sentences or passive voice (in some languages). It can help you simplify your writing.
Check language settings: Make sure the document language is correct (File > Language). This ensures the spell checker uses the right dictionary.
Use keyboard shortcuts: Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+I (or Cmd+Option+Shift+I) to open the check panel quickly.
Review changes before accepting: Sometimes the suggestion isn’t right for the context. Read the sentence before clicking “Accept.”

Troubleshooting

Spell check not working at all:
- Refresh the page (Ctrl+R / Cmd+R).
- Check if you’re in offline mode—spell check requires an internet connection.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge).
Suggestions not appearing as you type: Go to Tools > Spelling and grammar and ensure both “Show spelling suggestions” and “Show grammar suggestions” are checked.
“Spelling and grammar check” is grayed out: This usually happens if you’re in “Suggesting” mode or if the document is in a format that doesn’t support it (like a PDF). Switch to “Editing” mode or convert the document to Google Docs format.
Errors not being detected: If you have a lot of custom words or a language that isn’t set correctly, the checker may miss errors. Set the language correctly under File > Language.
Changes not saving: If you accept a suggestion and it doesn’t stick, check your internet connection. Google Docs saves automatically, but if you’re offline, changes may not sync until you reconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google Docs have a grammar checker?

Yes, Google Docs includes a basic grammar checker that catches common errors like subject-verb agreement, comma misuse, and passive voice. It’s not as advanced as dedicated tools, but it’s built-in and free.

Can I check spelling in Google Docs on my phone?

Yes, the Google Docs mobile app has spell check. Tap the pencil icon to edit, then go to the menu (three dots) and select “Spell check.” It will highlight errors, and you can tap each one to see suggestions.

How do I add a word to the dictionary in Google Docs?

Right-click on the word that’s underlined, and select “Add to dictionary.” You can also go to Tools > Spelling and grammar > Personal dictionary to add words manually.

Why is Google Docs not showing spelling errors?

Make sure “Show spelling suggestions” is enabled in Tools > Spelling and grammar. Also, check that the document language is set correctly. If you’re in “Suggesting” mode, switch to “Editing.”

Can I turn off the red squiggly lines?

Yes, go to Tools > Spelling and grammar and uncheck “Show spelling suggestions.” You can also turn off grammar suggestions separately.

Does Google Docs check grammar in other languages?

Yes, Google Docs supports grammar checking in several languages, including Spanish, French, German, and more. Set the language under File > Language to enable it.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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