How to use dictation on a Mac

To turn Dictation on, choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Keyboard in the sidebar, go to Dictation and turn it on, then click Enable (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac). If you are asked about improving Siri and Dictation, Share Audio Recordings lets Apple store audio of your Siri and Dictation interactions, and Not Now does not (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac). Below Dictation in Keyboard settings, you can see whether your general text dictation is processed on your Mac and not sent to Siri servers (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac).

To dictate, place the insertion point, then press the Microphone key if your Mac has one in the row of function keys, use the Dictation keyboard shortcut, or choose Edit > Start Dictation (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac). To set the shortcut, go to Dictation in Keyboard settings and choose one from the Shortcut pop-up menu, or choose Customize and press the keys you want, such as Option-Z (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac). Apple says you can dictate text of any length without a timeout, and Dictation stops on its own when no speech is detected for 30 seconds (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac).

To add a language, go to Dictation in Keyboard settings, click Edit next to Languages and select a language and region; with more than one set up, you switch by clicking the language next to the cursor or by pressing the Globe key (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac). Apple notes that Dictation is not available in every language or region and that its features vary (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac).

In supported languages, Dictation puts in commas, periods and question marks as you speak, and you can turn that off with Auto-punctuation under Dictation in Keyboard settings (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac). Apple's list of dictation commands has you say other marks by name, such as colon, semicolon, exclamation mark, open parenthesis or quote, and say new line or new paragraph for a break (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/commands-for-dictating-text-on-mac-mh40695/mac). The same list has caps on to set the next phrase in Title Case and all caps for the next word in capitals (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/commands-for-dictating-text-on-mac-mh40695/mac).

Speech recognition hears words, so names, product terms and code identifiers are where dictation slips most. When Dictation is unsure of a word it underlines it in blue, and you can click it to choose an alternative (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac). Apple documents a custom vocabulary for Voice Control: in System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control > Vocabulary you add words and phrases as you want them entered, in languages that support it (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-a-custom-vocabulary-mchl3eb7b79a/mac). When Voice Control is on, you dictate with Voice Control and standard macOS Dictation is not available (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac).

Built-in dictation types what you said, as you said it. A dedicated app is worth a look when you want filler words such as um and uh taken out, the text set differently for a chat, an email or a terminal, or a list of your own words that applies every time you dictate.

Roundhand is a dictation app for Macs with Apple silicon. You hold a key, talk, and it writes tidy text into the app you are in. Speech is recognised on your Mac. Dictation audio is never uploaded or saved to disk. After each dictation it takes out filler words, and it picks a writing style for the app you are in. Its Dictionary sets how a word you say is written, such as a product name. To see the two side by side, read how Roundhand compares with the dictation on your Mac. On a Windows PC, read how to use speech to text on Windows.

How do I turn on dictation on a Mac?

To turn Dictation on, choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Keyboard in the sidebar, go to Dictation and turn it on, then click Enable (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac, checked on 2026-10-11).

What is the keyboard shortcut for dictation on a Mac?

To dictate, place the insertion point, then press the Microphone key if your Mac has one in the row of function keys, use the Dictation keyboard shortcut, or choose Edit > Start Dictation (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac, checked on 2026-10-11). To set the shortcut, go to Dictation in Keyboard settings and choose one from the Shortcut pop-up menu, or choose Customize and press the keys you want, such as Option-Z (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac, checked on 2026-10-11).

Why does dictation stop on its own?

Apple says you can dictate text of any length without a timeout, and Dictation stops on its own when no speech is detected for 30 seconds (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac, checked on 2026-10-11).

Can I say punctuation when I dictate?

In supported languages, Dictation puts in commas, periods and question marks as you speak, and you can turn that off with Auto-punctuation under Dictation in Keyboard settings (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac, checked on 2026-10-11). Apple's list of dictation commands has you say other marks by name, such as colon, semicolon, exclamation mark, open parenthesis or quote, and say new line or new paragraph for a break (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/commands-for-dictating-text-on-mac-mh40695/mac, checked on 2026-10-11).

Can I teach Mac dictation my own words?

Apple documents a custom vocabulary for Voice Control: in System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control > Vocabulary you add words and phrases as you want them entered, in languages that support it (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-a-custom-vocabulary-mchl3eb7b79a/mac, checked on 2026-10-11). When Voice Control is on, you dictate with Voice Control and standard macOS Dictation is not available (support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac, checked on 2026-10-11).

Where does Roundhand recognise speech?

Speech is recognised on your Mac. Dictation audio is never uploaded or saved to disk. Cloud cleanup is optional; when it is on, the text of each dictation is sent to the cleanup provider, never the audio.