Dark Mode in Google Docs

Last Updated : 6 Apr, 2026

Dark Mode refers to a display setting that changes the traditional light background into a darker theme, reducing screen glare and making it easier on the eyes, especially in low-light environments. Users can enable Dark Mode in Google Docs through browser extensions, Chrome flags, or by using system-wide dark mode settings.

How to Turn On Google Docs Dark Mode on Desktop

There is an easy and quick way to enable dark mode in Google Docs while using the web version on a desktop or laptop device.

  • Method 1: Enable Dark mode in Google Docs using Extension
  • Method 2: Enable Dark Mode in Google Docs using Chrome flags

Method 1: Using Extensions for Dark Mode in Google Docs

If you prefer more control over the dark mode experience, you can use browser extensions. One of the best extensions for this purpose is Dark Reader.

Step 1: Launch Google Docs and Choose a Document

Open Google Doc in your web browser and open a document.

Step 2: Install Google Docs Dark Mode Extension

To enable dark mode, we have to install a browser extension called "Google Docs Dark Mode". To install this browser extension, Click Here and visit this link. Now a new tab opens in your web browser showing the extension mentioned above.

Dark Mode in Google Doc
Click the 'Add to Chrome' button

Step 3: Click on Add Extension

Now a popup opens from the browser. Click "Add extension" in it.

Google Docs Dark Mode
click the 'Add extension' button

Step 4: Extension Shortcut is now Visible on the Screen

Now the extension has been installed in the browser. The extension shortcut will be displayed on the right side of the search bar in the browser.

Dark Mode in Google Doc
Shortcut of extension displaying installed

Step 5: Go Back to the Google Docs Page

Now go back to the Google Docs page in the browser. As the extension was installed, it would not immediately change the screen to dark mode. We can see that it is still in white as before.

Dark Mode in Google Doc
Google Docs are still in white unchanged

Step 6: Refresh the Google Doc Page

Click on the Refresh button to refresh the page.

Step 7: The screen changes to dark mode immediately

Now the screen changes to dark mode immediately. But the page color of the document in Google Doc is still white as before. Also, there is an icon with the sun on the right side of the page.

Dark Mode in Google Doc
Except for the document, Google Docs changed to dark mode

Method 2: Using Google Chrome’s Dark Mode Feature

If you use Google Chrome, it’s easy to enable dark mode across your browser, including in Google Docs.

Step 1: Open Chrome browser and Choose a Google Document

Open Chrome browser and open a document in Google Doc. Now by default, dark mode is not enabled.

Dark Mode in Google Doc
Document opened

Step 2: Open a new tab in Chrome browser, type "chrome://flags" and press Enter

Open a new tab in the Chrome browser, and in the address bar of the Chrome browser, type " chrome://flags ". Press 'Enter'.

Dark Mode in Google Doc
Search in the address bar of the Chrome browser

A long list of features that can be enabled in this browser is displayed.

Dark Mode in Google Doc
List of features appearing

In the search bar of this page, search for "#enable-force-dark".

Dark Mode in Google Doc
search for #enable-force-dark

Step 4: Auto Dark mode for Web contents Appears

A feature named "Auto Dark mode for Web contents" is displayed on the browser page which is set as default.

Dark Mode in Google Doc

Step 5: Click Default and a dropdown appears

Click the 'Default' and a dropdown appears.

Dark Mode in Google Doc
click 'Default'

Step 6: Select Enabled in the dropdown

From the menu select Enabled.

Dark Mode in Google Doc
select 'Enabled'

Step 7: Click the Relaunch button

Now dark mode has been enabled in Chrome browser. A popup is displayed at the bottom of the Chrome browser to Relaunch the browser. Click the Relaunch button. Now the browser gets closed and reopens automatically.

Dark Mode in Google Doc
click the 'Relaunch' button at the bottom of the browser

Step 8: Dark mode Activated successfully

On relaunch of browser, the dark mode has been activated successfully in Chrome browser and also in Google Doc.

Dark Mode in Google Doc
Dark mode enabled using Chrome flags

How to Make Google Doc Dark Mode Without Extension

Follow the steps given below to make your Google Doc into Dark Mode:

Step 1: Open Google Doc

Go to Google Doc in your browser and log in to your account.

Step 2: Access System Settings

Open your computer's system settings and navigate to the Display or Theme section.

Dark Mode in Google Doc
Access System Settings

Step 3: Enable Dark Mode

Set your system theme to Dark Mode. Google Doc will automatically match your system's appearance.

Dark Mode in Google Doc
Enable Dark Mode
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