A little more conversation, a little more action
It takes a little time to learn the best voice commands from Alexa, but it’s essential to do so to enable Amazon Echo Music, TV and the general experience.
If you’re wondering what to ask Alexa, you might be missing out on the best features. The Alexa command allows voice assistants who live inside a smart speaker to bring music, control smart home gadgets, and bring daily weather and news updates.
Whether you have an Amazon Echo, an Echo Show or even a new echo spot, it’s all about knowing what to say to Alexa.
You can download all the Alexa skills you need, but if you don’t know what to say, the whole thing is useless.
So, whether you’re just learning to talk or a smart home veteran in need of a reviewer, there are 101 of the best Alexa commands to try.
Quick Look: The First Alexa Command to Try
- “Alexa, Play (Artist/Song/Album Name)”
- “Alexa, please set a timer for time/second.”
- “Alexa, what’s the weather like today?”
- “Alexa, set the alarm for (time)”
- “Alexa, Play (Radio Station)”
- “Alexa, pair my phone.”
- “Alexa, who’s sing this song?”
- “Alexa, Louder/Silent”
- “Alexa, Announcement: (Speak your message)”
- “Alexa, what is the date today?”
- “Alexa, how many ounces is it for a pound?”
Required Alexa Music Commands
- “Alexa, Play (Genre)”
- “Alexa, Play (Music Service)”
- “Alexa, play the latest (artist name) (album/song)”
- Alexa, play some Sunday morning music.”
- Alexa, set the volume to 6 inches
- “Alexa, I’ll turn this off with (x minutes)”
- “Alexa creates a disco playlist”
- Alexa, (Song) by (Artist) from the (Sonos room name)” – See our guide to using Sonos with Alexa
- “Alexa, play such a song (insert lyrics)”
- Alexa, Spotify Play (Podcast Name) – Check out our guide to listening to podcasts with Alexa speakers
- “Alexa, please set the treble to three.”
- “Alexa, Set Night Mode”
- “Alexa, increase your base.”
- “Alexa, reduce the treble.”
- “Alexa, increase the bass in the living room.”
- “Alexa, I’m setting up night mode on my bedroom TV.”
- “Alexa, Movie Mode Settings”
- “Alexa, I’ll set the bass on two soundbars.”
Alexa Movie/TV Command
- “Alexa, what is the rating of IMDB (show/movie)?”
- “Alexa, tell me about the movie (whatever it’s called)”
- “Alexa, who’s starring (show/movie)?”
- “Alexa, Watch (title)”
- “Alexa, Open Netflix”
- “Alexa, pause.”
- “Alexa, fast forward (x) minutes.”
- “Alexa, play the next episode.”
- “Alexa, lower the volume on the fire TV.”
- “Alexa, show me the movie (actor’s name)”
Alexa Timer and Alarm Commands
- “Alexa, I’ll set the alarm at 8am.”
- “Alexa, wake up every day (hours)”
- “Alexa, wake up (at the time) (music or radio station)”
- “Alexa, Snooze” (9 minutes)
- “Alexa, set a timer for (x minutes)”
- “Alexa, set a 10 minute (pizza) timer” – (If you use multiple timers, Alexa says your “pizza ready”)
- “Alexa, how long does the timer remain?”
- “Alexa, stop the timer.”
Check calendars and reminders
- “Alexa, what is my schedule today?”
- “Alexa, please add “Ben’s House BBQ” to your Saturday calendar.”
- “Alexa adds feature meeting to Thursday’s 4.30 calendar”
- “Alexa, what did you get tomorrow?”
- “Alexa, please add a haircut to my to-do list.”
- “Alexa, what do you find on my to-do list?”
Get daily information
- “Alexa, how’s the weather?”
- “Alexa, is it raining today?”
- “Alexa, what will the weather be like tomorrow?”
- “Alexa, what’s the news?”
- “Alexa, how’s your traffic today?”
- “Alexa, what time (city or country) is it?”
- “Alexa, what kind of movies are playing?”
- “Alexa, what was your (team name) score yesterday?”
- “Alexa, when will the next (team name) game be?”
- “Alexa, how do you spell it (word)?”
- “Alexa, how do you make it?”
Control your smart home
All this depends on having a home full of Alexa-compatible smart home technology. If so, try these:
- “Alexa, Switch Account” (to change profile)
- “Alexa, Bedtime” (Start’s Bedtime routine) – Check out the Alexa routine guide)
- “Alexa, discover my device.” (To find smart home technology)
- “Alexa, turn on my (name) lights.”
- “Alexa, (name) Light Off/Out”
- “Alexa, dim the lights to 40%.”
- “(Name) Set the light and warm the white.”
- “Alexa, please set the temperature to 68 degrees.”
- “Alexa, Trigger Purple Rain Recipe”
- “Alexa, lock the front door.”
- “Alexa, turn on the TV.”
- “Alexa, Show Me (camera name)” – (works with display devices – Echo Show, Show 5, Spot).
I’ll make a call and make a call
- “Alexa, call (person’s name)”
- “Alexa, answer the phone.”
- “Alexa, hang up.”
- “Alexa, stop by the living room.”
- “Alexa, play my message.”
- “Alexa announces (message)” – Play on all home network echo devices
- “Alexa, buy more (Amazon items).”
- “Alexa, order (Amazon item)”
- “Alexa, what do you find on my shopping list?”
- “Alexa, add to my shopping list (items)”
- “Alexa, where is mine?” (Tracking the order)
- What Christmas snack is today?
- Want to build a snowman?
- How ugly is your Christmas jumper?
- Open the Advent Calendar
- Singing Christmas Carol
- Singing a new Christmas song
- What does Christmas really mean?
- Who is your favorite reindeer?
- Is Santa Claus the real thing?
- Where does my father live for Christmas?
