Yes, Grammarly works on Google Docs. It runs through the Grammarly browser extension for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari, not through a Google Docs add-on. Once the extension is installed and you are signed in, a Grammarly button appears in the lower-right corner of your document, underlines show up as you type, and the full list of suggestions opens in a sidebar.
When it stops working, the cause is almost always one of a short list: the Google Docs toggle in the extension is off, the extension is out of date, the browser cache is stale, or the document has footnotes, tables, or 30+ pages that slow Grammarly down. The fixes for each are below.
I have used Grammarly in Google Docs for client drafts since the integration was in beta. I checked every step here against Grammarly’s own support docs in September 2026.
How Do You Use Grammarly in Google Docs?
Install the Grammarly extension for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari, sign in, open a Google Doc, and click the Grammarly button in the lower-right corner to open the suggestions sidebar.
- Install the Grammarly extension for your browser. On Chrome, that is the Grammarly listing in the Chrome Web Store. Edge, Firefox, and Safari have their own versions.
- Sign in to your Grammarly account. A free account is enough to get correctness suggestions.
- Open any Google Doc, or create a new one.
- Look for the Grammarly button in the lower-right corner of the window and click it to open the sidebar.
- Click a suggestion card to see the proposed change, then click the change to accept it. Learn more explains why Grammarly flagged it.
Red underlines are correctness issues like spelling, grammar, and punctuation. You can hover over an underlined word to see the card without opening the sidebar. If you use a style guide on a team plan, those suggestions show up with gray underlines.
One thing that confuses people in 2026: Grammarly is now part of Superhuman. If your account has Superhuman Go turned on, you may see a Superhuman logo on the right edge of the browser instead of the familiar green G. It is the same checker.
Why Is Grammarly Not Working in Google Docs? 9 Fixes
Grammarly stops working in Google Docs for four main reasons: the Google Docs toggle in the extension is off, the extension is outdated, the browser cache is stale, or the document has footnotes, tables, or 30+ pages. Work through these fixes in order.
1. Turn on “Check for writing suggestions on Google Docs”
The extension has a separate switch for Google Docs, and it can be off even when Grammarly works everywhere else. Click the Grammarly icon in your browser toolbar, find Check for writing suggestions on Google Docs, and switch it off and back on. Then reload the document. The Grammarly button should reappear in the lower-right corner.
2. Pin the extension so you can see it
If you cannot find the Grammarly icon in the toolbar, it is probably hidden. In Chrome, click the puzzle-piece Extensions icon and pin Grammarly. You need the icon for the toggle in fix 1.
3. Check that you are signed in and online
Grammarly checks your text on its servers, so it does not work offline. If the button says it is reconnecting or trying to connect, the problem is your connection, not Google Docs. Also confirm you are logged in to Grammarly in that browser profile. A signed-out extension shows nothing.
4. Update or reinstall the extension
Missing underlines are often an outdated extension. Grammarly’s own fix is to remove the extension from your browser’s extensions page and install it again from the store. It takes a minute and you keep your account settings.
5. Clear your browser cache
If the button shows up but the underlines do not, a stale cache is the next suspect. This is also the recommended fix on Firefox, Edge, and Safari when the icon itself will not load.
6. Temporarily remove footnotes and tables
Grammarly lists footnotes and tables as a known compatibility issue in Google Docs. If one document refuses to show suggestions while others work, this is likely why. Grammarly’s workaround is blunt: remove them, edit with Grammarly, then add them back. For long reports, I copy the body text into a clean doc, edit there, and paste it back.
7. Switch from pageless to pages format
Grammarly support asks people with missing underlines whether the document is in pageless mode, and to switch to standard mode to test. Go to File, then Page setup, choose Pages, and reload.
8. Split very long documents
Grammarly says documents of 30 pages or more may slow it down. It is not a hard cutoff, but on long ebooks and reports the underlines can lag or stop. Split the document into chapters, or check one section at a time in a separate doc.
9. Disable conflicting extensions
Other writing assistants, some ad blockers, and older Grammarly-style tools can fight over the same text. Turn off other writing extensions, reload the doc, and see whether Grammarly comes back. If it does, turn them back on one at a time to find the culprit.
Quick Diagnosis Table
| What you see | Most likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No Grammarly button in the doc | Google Docs toggle is off, or the extension is hidden | Fixes 1 and 2 |
| “Reconnecting” or “Trying to connect” | No internet, or signed out | Fix 3 |
| Button shows, but no underlines | Outdated extension or stale cache | Fixes 4 and 5 |
| Works in other docs, not this one | Footnotes, tables, or pageless mode | Fixes 6 and 7 |
| Slow or stops partway through | Document is 30+ pages | Fix 8 |
| Worked yesterday, broken today | New extension or browser update conflict | Fixes 4 and 9 |
Where Doesn’t Grammarly Work in Google Workspace?
Grammarly does not support Google Slides, needs its desktop app for Google Sheets, and cannot run as an extension inside the Google Docs phone apps.
- Google Slides: not supported, according to Grammarly’s support docs.
- Google Sheets: Grammarly points you to its desktop app for Windows and Mac rather than the browser extension.
- The Google Docs phone apps: browser extensions cannot run there. On a phone, the Grammarly keyboard is the workaround. It checks as you type, but you do not get the sidebar.
If most of your writing happens in Slides or on a phone, factor that in before paying for a plan.
Is Grammarly Worth Paying For If You Write in Google Docs?
The free plan covers spelling, grammar, and punctuation in Google Docs, which is enough for most people. Paid plans add rewrites, tone suggestions, and more AI prompts. If you are deciding, my breakdown of Grammarly Pro pricing and what changed from Premium and Business covers every plan. If the price is what gives you pause, read why Grammarly costs what it does, or compare it with ProWritingAid, which has its own Google Docs add-on.
For a longer look at the paid features in day-to-day writing, see my Grammarly Premium review.
Grammarly and Google Docs FAQ
Does Grammarly work on Google Docs for free?
Yes. The free Grammarly extension checks spelling, grammar, and punctuation inside Google Docs. You only need a free Grammarly account and a supported browser.
Why is Grammarly not showing up in Google Docs?
Usually because the Check for writing suggestions on Google Docs switch in the extension is off, or the extension icon is hidden. Pin the extension, switch the setting off and on, and reload the document.
Why is Grammarly not underlining anything in my Google Doc?
The button can load while underlines stay hidden. Update or reinstall the extension, clear your cache, and check whether the document has footnotes or tables, or uses pageless mode.
Does Grammarly work in Google Slides?
No. Grammarly’s support docs list Google Slides as not supported.
Can I use Grammarly in Google Docs on an iPad or phone?
Not through the extension, because the Google Docs apps cannot run browser extensions. Install the Grammarly keyboard on iOS or Android to get suggestions as you type.
Does Grammarly work offline in Google Docs?
No. Grammarly needs an internet connection to check your writing, even if Google Docs itself is set up for offline editing.
The Bottom Line
Grammarly and Google Docs work well together once the extension is set up. When it breaks, start with the Google Docs toggle, then update the extension and clear your cache, then look at footnotes, tables, pageless mode, and document length. Those steps come straight from Grammarly’s known issues list and its Google Docs setup guide, and they fix nearly every case I have run into.
