How to Print a Google Doc: Step-by-Step

What You’ll Need

A Google account and access to the document (you can print documents shared with you as long as you have view or edit access).
A printer that is set up and connected to your computer, phone, or tablet (wireless printers work too).
If you’re printing from a mobile device, you may need the Google Docs app installed (free from the App Store or Google Play).

Step-by-Step

Open the document – Go to docs.google.com in your browser, or open the Google Docs app on your phone or tablet. Sign in if you aren’t already, then click or tap the document you want to print.
Access the Print menu – On a computer, click File in the top-left menu, then select Print from the dropdown. On a phone or tablet, tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner and choose Share & export (on Android) or Share & export (on iOS) and then Print. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) on any device with a keyboard.
Choose your printer – In the print dialog that opens, select the printer you want to use. If you don’t see your printer, click See more or the dropdown arrow to find it. On mobile, you may need to select Print from the system share sheet and then pick your printer.
Adjust print settings – Set the number of copies, page range (all pages, specific pages, or a selection), paper size (usually Letter or A4), orientation (portrait or landscape), and margins. You can also choose color or black-and-white printing, and decide whether to print backgrounds or just the text. These options may vary slightly depending on your browser or device.
Preview and confirm – Look at the preview on the right side of the dialog. Make sure the pages look the way you expect. If something is off, go back and adjust the settings. When everything looks good, click the blue Print button (or Save if you’re saving as a PDF).
Collect your printout – Wait for the printer to finish. If you saved as a PDF, check your Downloads folder (or wherever your browser saves files) for the PDF file.

Common Mistakes

Printing from the wrong document – Make sure you’re in the correct tab or app window. It’s easy to have multiple documents open and accidentally print the wrong one.
Ignoring page breaks – If your document has awkward page breaks, the printed version may look messy. Use the on-screen preview to check, and consider adjusting margins or spacing before printing.
Not checking printer status – If the printer is offline or out of paper, nothing will print. Check the printer’s display or your computer’s printer queue before hitting Print.
Forgetting to select the right printer – If you have multiple printers (e.g., a home printer and a work one), you might accidentally send the job to the wrong device.
Using the wrong print dialog – On mobile, the system print dialog looks different from the desktop one. Take a moment to explore the options before tapping Print.

Tips

Save as PDF first – If you’re not sure about the layout, print to PDF instead of paper. You can then review the PDF on your screen and print it later if needed.
Use the mobile app’s print option – The Google Docs app has a dedicated Print option that often works more smoothly than using the browser on a phone.
Adjust margins for less waste – If your document is slightly too long, reducing margins from 1 inch to 0.75 inch can often fit more content per page.
Check the preview for hidden elements – Images, tables, and text boxes sometimes get cut off at page edges. The preview will show you exactly what will print.
Print only what you need – If you only need one page, enter that page number in the “Pages” field instead of printing the whole document.

Troubleshooting

Printer not showing up – Make sure your printer is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your device. Restart both the printer and your computer, then try again. On Windows, you can also go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners to check if the printer is recognized.
Print button is grayed out – This usually means no printer is selected. Go back to the printer dropdown and choose one. If none appear, check your device’s printer settings.
Document prints with missing text or images – This can happen if you’re using a browser that doesn’t fully support Google Docs printing. Try using Chrome or Firefox, or save as PDF and print the PDF instead.
Print job stuck in queue – Open your computer’s print queue (usually by clicking the printer icon in the taskbar or system tray) and cancel the stuck job. Then try printing again.
Mobile app says “No printers found” – Make sure your phone or tablet is on the same Wi-Fi as the printer. If your printer supports AirPrint (for iOS) or Google Cloud Print (legacy), you may need to enable that feature on the printer.
Printing is very slow – Large documents with many images can take time. Try reducing the image resolution in the document, or print in draft mode (if your printer has that option).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print a Google Doc without a printer?

Yes. Instead of selecting a physical printer, choose “Save as PDF” in the print dialog. This creates a digital copy that you can save, email, or take to a print shop later.

How do I print only certain pages?

In the print dialog, look for the “Pages” field. Enter a range like “1-3” or individual pages like “2,5,8” to print only those pages.

Why does my Google Doc print with a different font than on screen?

This can happen if the font used in the document isn’t installed on your computer or printer. Google Docs will substitute a similar font. To avoid this, use standard fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri.

Can I print a Google Doc from my phone?

Yes. Open the document in the Google Docs app, tap the three-dot menu, then select “Share & export” and then “Print”. You’ll need a printer that supports wireless printing (like AirPrint or a printer app).

How do I print a Google Doc in black and white?

In the print dialog, look for a “Color” or “Color/black & white” option. Select “Black & white” or “Grayscale” before printing.

Can I print comments and suggestions?

Yes. In the print dialog, look for a “Comments” or “Include” dropdown. Choose “Include comments” or “Suggestions” to print them. They appear in a separate section at the end of the document.

Sources: Google Docs Help Center. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.