How to Do Spell Check on Mac: Built-In Tools for Flawless Writing

I caught my first typo on a Mac in 1998 and nearly threw the machine out the window. Built-in spell check has come a long way since then, and now it catches errors before they embarrass you.

The tool works across every app—Mail, Pages, even browser text fields. You don’t need to install anything extra or remember complex shortcuts. It’s already there, waiting to save your professional reputation.

Red squiggles appear instantly under mistakes, with right-click fixes that take one second. System Preferences lets you customize dictionaries and even add industry-specific terms to prevent false alarms.

Between you and me, I still miss the occasional error, but this setup catches 95% of them automatically. Here’s how to turn it on and fine-tune it for your workflow.

What Youll Need

Instructions

Here’s how I enable and use spell check to catch every typo before it slips through.

Open System Settings from the Apple menu or the Dock. Navigate to Keyboard, then select Text Input. Ensure the Edit menu is active and look for the Spelling and Grammar section.

Toggle Check Spelling While Typing to the on position. This activates real-time underlining of misspelled words in most applications. I also enable Correct Spelling Automatically for one-click fixes, though it can be aggressive with proper nouns.

Verify the feature is working by opening TextEdit and intentionally misspelling a word. A red dotted underline should appear beneath it within 1-2 seconds.

In the same Spelling and Grammar panel, click Show Spelling and Grammar. Here, you can adjust whether macOS checks grammar and suggests corrections. I disable grammar checking for coding environments to avoid false positives on syntax.

Scroll down to Language and ensure your primary language is selected. If you write in multiple languages, add them here. The system will reference all enabled dictionaries simultaneously, which can slow down suggestions slightly.

Test the changes by switching to Notes or Mail. The underlines should now appear in your secondary language when applicable, and grammar suggestions will reflect your preferences.

When a word is underlined, right-click it to see suggested corrections. The top suggestion is usually correct, but I always scan the full list for context-specific fixes. For repeated terms, select Add to Dictionary to prevent future flags.

For keyboard users, place the cursor on the misspelled word and press Command + : to open the spelling panel. Use the arrow keys to navigate suggestions, then press Enter to apply or Esc to dismiss.

Confirm the shortcut works by misspelling a word in Safari’s address bar or a Pages document. The panel should appear instantly, and corrections should apply without disrupting your workflow.

Some third-party apps like Microsoft Word or Google Chrome use their own spell check systems. In Word, go to Tools > Spelling and Grammar to run a manual check. Chrome underlines misspellings in text fields by default—no setup required.

If an app ignores macOS’s spell check, look for its own settings. In Slack, for example, spell check is enabled under Preferences > Advanced. I’ve found that most modern apps respect the system dictionary if no override exists.

Test non-Apple apps by composing a message with intentional errors. The behavior should match either the app’s native system or macOS’s, depending on its configuration.

Tips and Common Mistakes

Small details make the difference between catching every typo and missing some consistently.

The Verification Step: In Step 1, don’t skip testing with TextEdit. I’ve seen the red underline fail to appear when System Settings didn’t save properly, and that 1-2 seconds delay is your confirmation everything’s active. If it doesn’t show, toggle the setting off and on again.

Language Selection: In Step 2, remember that adding multiple languages in the Language panel means macOS checks all dictionaries simultaneously. This can slow suggestions, so only enable what you actively use. I learned this the hard way when my Spanish dictionary started flagging perfectly good English words.

Keyboard Shortcut Mastery: For Step 3, practice the Command + : shortcut until it’s muscle memory. The spelling panel appears instantly, and using arrow keys to navigate suggestions keeps your hands on the keyboard. This alone has saved me hours of right-clicking over the years.

Third-Party App Awareness: Step 4’s warning about apps like Word and Chrome is crucial. Even if macOS spell check is enabled, some apps override it. Always check the app’s own settings first—I’ve wasted time troubleshooting macOS when the issue was actually in Slack’s preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now you know how to enable and use spell check on your Mac with ease! Flawless writing is just a few clicks away—whether you’re drafting emails, essays, or social media posts. Try these built-in tools today and say goodbye to typos for good. 🌟