The fastest way to install Grammarly in Word

Open Microsoft Word, go to the Insert tab at the top, then click Get Add-ins (or Apps depending on your Word version). Search for "Grammarly" in the search box. Click the Grammarly result, then click Add or Get. Word will ask you to sign in with a Grammarly account — create one or log in if you already have one. Once you sign in, Grammarly will appear as a button in your Word ribbon and start checking your document automatically.

If you're using Word on Mac, the process is identical: Insert > Get Add-ins > search for Grammarly > Add. If you're using Word online in a browser, Grammarly installs the same way through the Add-ins menu.

The whole process takes about two minutes. After installation, you don't need to do anything else — Grammarly checks as you type and shows suggestions directly in your document with underlines and a sidebar panel.

Key Takeaways

  • Install Grammarly through Word's Insert menu by searching for it in Get Add-ins, not by downloading it separately from the Grammarly website.
  • You need a Grammarly account to use it in Word, which you can create for free during the installation process.
  • Grammarly works in Word on Windows, Mac, and in your browser if you use Word online.
  • Once installed, Grammarly checks your writing automatically and shows suggestions in a sidebar without you having to open a separate window.

What you need before you start

You need a Grammarly account, but you can create one free during installation — you don't have to sign up on the Grammarly website first. If you already have a Grammarly account from using it elsewhere, just log in with that same email and password.

Your Word version should be Word 2016 or newer on Windows, or Word 2016 or newer on Mac. If you're not sure which version you have, open Word, click File, then look for "About Word" or "Account" — it will show your version number. Word online (the free version you access through Outlook.com or Office.com) also supports Grammarly.

You don't need to uninstall anything or change any settings beforehand. If you've used Grammarly as a browser extension before, the Word add-in is separate and won't conflict with it.

Where Grammarly appears after you install it

After installation, Grammarly adds a button to your Word ribbon — the toolbar at the top of the screen. On Windows, it usually appears in the Review tab. On Mac, it appears in the Review tab as well. Click this button to open Grammarly's full panel on the right side of your screen, where you can see all suggestions for your document at once.

As you type, Grammarly underlines potential issues directly in your document — red underlines for grammar, blue for clarity, green for tone, and purple for style. You can click any underline to see the suggestion and choose to accept or ignore it. You don't have to open the sidebar panel to see and fix basic issues; the underlines work on their own.

Troubleshooting if Grammarly doesn't appear

If you don't see Grammarly after installation, close Word completely and reopen it. Sometimes Word needs to restart to load the add-in. If it still doesn't show up, go back to Insert > Get Add-ins, search for Grammarly, and look for a button that says Manage My Add-ins or My Add-ins. Click it and check whether Grammarly is listed there. If it is, click it and select Add again.

If Grammarly is listed in your add-ins but still isn't showing in Word, try disabling it and re-enabling it. In Insert > Get Add-ins > My Add-ins, right-click Grammarly and choose Remove, then reinstall it using the same process as before.

On Mac, if Grammarly doesn't load, make sure you're running the latest version of Word. Go to Help > Check for Updates and install any available updates, then try installing Grammarly again.

The difference between free and paid Grammarly in Word

The free version of Grammarly catches basic grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. The paid version (Grammarly Premium) adds advanced checks for clarity, engagement, tone detection, and style — it also catches more subtle mistakes the free version misses. Both versions work inside Word the same way; the difference is what kinds of errors show up.

If you start with free Grammarly, you can upgrade to Premium later without reinstalling anything. Your account and all your settings stay the same. Premium costs money, but you can try it free for seven days to see whether the extra features are worth it for your writing.

Using Grammarly alongside Word's built-in spelling and grammar check

Grammarly and Word's built-in spelling and grammar checker both work at the same time — they don't interfere with each other. You'll see underlines from both tools in your document. This is actually helpful because they catch different things. Word's checker is basic; Grammarly goes deeper into clarity and style.

If you find the double underlines distracting, you can turn off Word's built-in checker. Go to File > Options > Proofing, then uncheck Check spelling as you type and Mark grammar errors as you type. This leaves only Grammarly's suggestions visible, which many people prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for Grammarly to use it in Word?

No. Grammarly's free version works in Word and catches spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. You only pay if you want Premium features like advanced clarity checks and tone detection. You can use the free version indefinitely without upgrading.

Can I use Grammarly in Word on my phone or tablet?

Grammarly doesn't work as a Word add-in on mobile devices. On iPhone and iPad, you can use the Grammarly keyboard app to check your writing in most apps, but it's not the same as the Word desktop version. On Android, Grammarly offers a keyboard and browser extension, but Word mobile support is limited.

What if Grammarly stops working after a Word update?

Word updates sometimes temporarily disable add-ins. Restart Word, then go to Insert > Get Add-ins > My Add-ins and check whether Grammarly is listed as disabled. If it is, click it and select Enable. If it's not listed at all, reinstall it.

Can I turn off Grammarly for specific documents?

Yes. Click the Grammarly button in your Word ribbon to open the sidebar, then look for a toggle or settings option to pause Grammarly. You can pause it for a single document or turn it off entirely. When you're ready to use it again, click the button and resume.

Does Grammarly save my documents to the cloud?

Grammarly reads your document to check it, but it doesn't save your Word files to Grammarly's servers. Your document stays in Word and on your computer. Grammarly only stores information about your writing patterns to improve its suggestions over time, not the actual text of your documents.