Voice typing for Gmail

Gmail on the web has no voice typing. Google's voice typing lives in Google Docs. Glaido types into Gmail's compose window directly, on Mac and Windows, and comes with a built-in Email rule that's already switched on. Say the email the way you'd say it out loud and it arrives formatted: greeting on its own line, short paragraphs, and a sign-off only if you said one.

Free to start on macOS and Windows 11.

THE GAP

Gmail has no voice typing on desktop

There's no microphone in Gmail's compose window on the web. Your options without Glaido:

  • Your computer's dictation. Win + H on Windows, or Dictation on macOS. It works in Gmail, but you get one long paragraph and add the line breaks yourself.
  • Google Docs voice typing, then paste. Docs has voice typing under Tools in Chrome. You write in one tab and paste into another.
  • Your phone. The keyboard's microphone works in the Gmail app, which helps on the move but not at your desk.

Checked on October 16, 2026 against Google Docs Editors Help: Type with your voice.

ALREADY SET UP

Glaido ships with an Email rule

There's nothing to build. The Email rule is switched on from the start for Gmail and Outlook on the web.

EmailApplies only in the apps and websites you pick, instead of your default style.
Apps
Add app
Websites
mail.google.comoutlook.live.comAdd website
Style
StandardFull capitals and punctuation
CasualCapitals stay, fewer full stops
LowercaseNo capitals, minimal punctuation
Raw textExactly what you said, with no AI cleanup. Your style still applies.
Custom promptYour own instruction, on top of the style.

Format as an email: greeting on its own line, then short paragraphs. Add a sign off only if I said one.

103/500
The "Email" rule on the Formatting screen.
Name
Email
Applies in
mail.google.com, outlook.live.com
Style
Standard
Mode
AI cleanup on
Custom prompt, ready to paste:

Format as an email: greeting on its own line, then short paragraphs. Add a sign off only if I said one.

You can edit its prompt or switch it off, but you can't delete it. A few changes worth making:

  • Write email in a desktop app? Add Apple Mail or Outlook under Apps. The rule starts with no apps.
  • Work email at outlook.office.com? Add it under Websites. The rule covers outlook.live.com, used by personal Outlook accounts.
  • Emails arriving as one paragraph? Check that Raw text is off for this rule. Raw text skips the cleanup that adds the paragraphs.

The rule applies to every field on mail.google.com, including the subject line and search. Type the short fields and dictate the body.

IN PRACTICE

Say it the way you'd say it

Start with the greeting, say what you want to say, and end with a sign-off if you want one. Emails run longer than chat messages, so hands-free suits them: Fn + Space on macOS or Ctrl + Win + Shift on Windows, then the hotkey again to stop.

Reply to a client

YOU SAY
“hi sarah thanks for sending the contract over I've read it and I'm happy with everything except the payment terms can we do thirty days instead of fifteen best alex”
WHAT LANDS IN GMAIL

Hi Sarah, Thanks for sending the contract over. I've read it and I'm happy with everything except the payment terms. Can we do 30 days instead of 15? Best, Alex

No sign-off said, none added

YOU SAY
“hi team thanks for today we agreed to ship the beta on the fourteenth priya owns the release notes and I'll set up the feedback form”
WHAT LANDS IN GMAIL

Hi team, Thanks for today. We agreed to ship the beta on the 14th. Priya owns the release notes, and I'll set up the feedback form.

Illustrative examples. Review the text before you send it.

Make the routine ones instant

Some emails are the same every time, like your scheduling link or the line you send with every invoice. Save those as snippets. A snippet fires when the whole dictation is the trigger phrase, so you say "my calendar link" and the full sentence appears. Keep snippets for the fixed parts and dictate the rest.

For names Glaido doesn't know yet, like a client called Siobhan, add them to the Dictionary once. After that they're spelled right in every email.

GOOD TO KNOW

Gmail and Glaido: questions

Does Gmail have voice typing?

Not on the web. Google's voice typing is available in Google Docs and in Slides speaker notes. On phones, you can use your keyboard's microphone in the Gmail app.

Will Glaido add a sign-off I didn't say?

No. The built-in Email rule adds a sign-off only if you said one.

Does this work in Outlook too?

Yes. Outlook on the web is in the Email rule from the start. Add the Outlook desktop app under Apps, and outlook.office.com under Websites for work accounts.

Can I dictate emails in other languages?

Yes. Glaido supports 100 dictation languages, and the Email rule formats the email the same way in each one.

Gmail is a trademark of Google LLC. Glaido is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google LLC.

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