Alexa Commands: 200+ Voice Commands for Your Echo

You can use more than 200 Alexa commands on any current Echo speaker or display by starting with “Alexa…” followed by the exact phrase below – no setup needed for most music, timer, information, and fun commands.

This Alexa commands list covers the exact wording that works in 2026, plus which wake word to use, which commands need a smart home device or linked account, and how to fix it when Alexa mishears you.

Say Alexa vs. Hey Alexa: What Actually Works

Both “Alexa” and “Hey Alexa” work as wake words, along with “Echo,” “Ziggy,” and “Computer.” You only need one of them per command. “Hey Alexa” is slightly more reliable in noisy rooms because the two syllables give the microphones more time to wake, while short “Alexa” is faster for back-to-back commands.

Use this pattern: Wake word + command. Example: “Alexa, set a 10-minute timer for pasta.” You do not need to pause after the wake word on Echo Dot (5th Gen), Echo (4th Gen), Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 15 models – just speak naturally.

To change it: Alexa app > Devices > select your Echo > Settings gear > Wake Word > choose Alexa, Hey Alexa behavior follows automatically, Echo, Ziggy, or Computer. Allow about 30 seconds for the change to apply.

Music, Podcasts and Volume Commands

These work after you link your preferred music and podcast services in the Alexa app under More > Settings > Music & Podcasts.

Exact phrases to say

• “Alexa, play pop hits from the 90s.”
• “Alexa, play my Workout playlist.”
• “Alexa, shuffle my Liked Songs.”
• “Alexa, play NPR News Now.”
• “Alexa, play the podcast SmartLess from the beginning.”
• “Alexa, pause.”
• “Alexa, resume.”
• “Alexa, next song.”
• “Alexa, previous song.”
• “Alexa, restart this song.”
• “Alexa, what song is this?”
• “Alexa, what artist is this?”
• “Alexa, add this song to my playlist.”
• “Alexa, like this song.”
• “Alexa, play music for sleeping.”
• “Alexa, play white noise.”
• “Alexa, play rain sounds for 2 hours.”
• “Alexa, volume 4.”
• “Alexa, turn it up.”
• “Alexa, turn it down.”
• “Alexa, mute.”
• “Alexa, unmute.”
• “Alexa, set volume to 30 percent.”
• “Alexa, play music everywhere.” – for multi-room groups
• “Alexa, play music upstairs only.”
• “Alexa, stop playing music on all speakers.”
• “Alexa, set a sleep timer for 45 minutes.”
• “Alexa, stop the sleep timer.”

Tip: If Alexa plays the wrong version, be specific: “Alexa, play the acoustic version of Fast Car by Tracy Chapman” works far better than just the song title.

Smart Home Commands for Lights, Plugs and Thermostats

Smart home is where exact names matter. Name rooms and devices in the Alexa app first: Devices > + > Add Device, then group them by room. After that, use the room name in every command.

Lights and plugs

• “Alexa, turn on Living Room lights.”
• “Alexa, turn off Bedroom lamp.”
• “Alexa, dim Living Room lights to 40 percent.”
• “Alexa, brighten Kitchen lights.”
• “Alexa, set Bedroom lamp to warm white.”
• “Alexa, set Office lights to blue.”
• “Alexa, turn on Fan Plug.”
• “Alexa, turn off Coffee Maker.”

Thermostats, locks and cameras

• “Alexa, set Thermostat to 72 degrees.”
• “Alexa, raise the temperature by 2 degrees.”
• “Alexa, what is the temperature inside?”
• “Alexa, lock the Front Door.”
• “Alexa, is the Front Door locked?”
• “Alexa, show Front Door camera.” – Echo Show models only
• “Alexa, show Baby Room camera.”
• “Alexa, hide the camera.”
• “Alexa, close the garage door.”
• “Alexa, run Good Night scene.”

Timers, Alarms, Reminders and Calendars

These are built-in and work even if Wi-Fi music services are down, as long as the Echo stays powered and connected.

• “Alexa, set a 12-minute timer.”
• “Alexa, set a pasta timer for 8 minutes.”
• “Alexa, set a second timer for 20 minutes.”
• “Alexa, how much time is left on my timers?”
• “Alexa, cancel the pasta timer.”
• “Alexa, cancel all timers.”
• “Alexa, set an alarm for 6:30 AM weekdays.”
• “Alexa, set an alarm for 7 AM with pop music.”
• “Alexa, snooze.”
• “Alexa, stop the alarm.”
• “Alexa, remind me to take medicine at 8 PM.”
• “Alexa, remind me to call Mom in 30 minutes.”
• “Alexa, what are my reminders today?”
• “Alexa, delete all reminders for today.”
• “Alexa, what’s on my calendar today?”
• “Alexa, add dentist appointment to my calendar Friday at 3 PM.”
• “Alexa, what’s the date?”
• “Alexa, how many days until Christmas?”

Shopping, Lists and To-Do Commands

• “Alexa, add milk to my shopping list.”
• “Alexa, add paper towels to my shopping list.”
• “Alexa, what’s on my shopping list?”
• “Alexa, remove milk from my shopping list.”
• “Alexa, clear my shopping list.”
• “Alexa, add homework to my to-do list.”
• “Alexa, what’s on my to-do list?”
• “Alexa, reorder paper towels.”
• “Alexa, where is my order?”
• “Alexa, track my package.”
• “Alexa, cancel my last order.”
• “Alexa, add batteries to my cart.”
• “Alexa, what’s in my cart?”
• “Alexa, checkout my cart.”

You can view and edit both lists in the Alexa app under More > Lists & Notes. Lists sync across all Echo devices on the same profile, which is useful for shared households.

Routines: One Phrase to Run Many Actions

Routines turn 5-10 commands into one. Example: “Alexa, good morning” can turn on lights, read weather, and start news.

To create one: Alexa app > More > Routines > + > Enter routine name > When this happens > Voice > type “good morning” > Add action > choose Smart Home, Alexa Says, Sounds, etc. > Save.

Useful routine starter phrases to set up

• “Alexa, good morning.” – lights on, weather, calendar, news
• “Alexa, good night.” – all lights off, doors locked, sleep sounds on
• “Alexa, I’m leaving.” – thermostat to away mode, cameras armed, plugs off
• “Alexa, I’m home.” – entry lights on, thermostat to 72
• “Alexa, movie time.” – living room lights dim to 20 percent, TV on
• “Alexa, workout time.” – play Workout playlist on Everywhere group, 40-minute timer

Calls, Announcements and Intercom

• “Alexa, call Mom.”
• “Alexa, call Dad’s mobile.”
• “Alexa, answer.”
• “Alexa, hang up.”
• “Alexa, drop in on Kitchen.”
• “Alexa, drop in on Living Room Echo.”
• “Alexa, announce dinner is ready.”
• “Alexa, announce time for school.”
• “Alexa, broadcast I’m on my way home.”
• “Alexa, send a message to Sarah.”
• “Alexa, read my messages.”
• “Alexa, enable Do Not Disturb.”
• “Alexa, turn off Do Not Disturb.”

Drop In works like an instant intercom and needs permission enabled under Devices > select Echo > Settings gear > Communications > Drop In. Announcements play on all Echo devices and pause music for about 10-15 seconds.

Information, Weather, Math and Translation

Use these for things to ask Alexa when your phone is not nearby.

• “Alexa, what’s the weather today?”
• “Alexa, will it rain tomorrow?”
• “Alexa, what’s the temperature outside?”
• “Alexa, what’s the traffic to downtown?”
• “Alexa, how long to get to the airport?”
• “Alexa, what time is it in Tokyo?”
• “Alexa, how many ounces in a cup?”
• “Alexa, convert 2 miles to kilometers.”
• “Alexa, what is 15 percent of 240?”
• “Alexa, flip a coin.”
• “Alexa, roll a six-sided die.”
• “Alexa, pick a number between 1 and 100.”
• “Alexa, how do you say hello in Spanish?”
• “Alexa, translate good morning to French.”
• “Alexa, spell necessary.”
• “Alexa, define ubiquitous.”
• “Alexa, who won the game last night?”
• “Alexa, when is the next full moon?”

Fun Commands, Easter Eggs and Kids

• “Alexa, tell me a joke.”
• “Alexa, tell me a fun fact.”
• “Alexa, give me a motivational quote.”
• “Alexa, sing a song.”
• “Alexa, beatbox for me.”
• “Alexa, rap for me.”
• “Alexa, tell me a story.”
• “Alexa, tell me a bedtime story.”
• “Alexa, play rock paper scissors.”
• “Alexa, play 20 Questions.”
• “Alexa, play Jeopardy.”
• “Alexa, give me a riddle.”
• “Alexa, bark like a dog.”
• “Alexa, meow like a cat.”
• “Alexa, roar like a dinosaur.”
• “Alexa, use the Force.”
• “Alexa, beam me up.”
• “Alexa, tea, Earl Grey, hot.”
• “Alexa, open the pod bay doors.”
• “Alexa, what is your quest?”

Which Echo Is Best for Voice Commands?

All current Echo models respond to the same core Alexa commands list, but speaker size and screen change what is practical. Choose by room, not by voice accuracy – microphones are similar across the 2026 lineup.

If you only need voice control for lights and timers, a compact speaker in each bedroom plus one full-size speaker for music usually costs less overall – typically in the $50-$100 range per compact unit and $90-$150 per full-size unit – than buying display models for every room.

When Alexa Mishears You: Fixes That Work

Most failures are naming, not microphone problems. Fix in this order:

1. Check what Alexa heard: Alexa app > More > Activity & Privacy > Review Voice History. If “Living Room lamp” was heard as “leaving room lamp,” rename the device to “Couch Lamp.”

2. Simplify names: Use 1-2 syllables, avoid numbers and similar names. “Kitchen Light” and “Kitchen Lamp” conflict – rename one to “Stove Light.”

3. Set defaults: For music, set default service under Music & Podcasts so you do not need “…on Spotify” every time. For TV, link the Fire TV or compatible TV under Devices > Speakers so “Alexa, turn on TV” knows which one.

4. Reduce interference: Move Echo at least 8 inches from walls, away from speakers and microwaves. Set Adaptive Volume on under Device Settings > Sounds so Alexa speaks louder when the room is noisy.

5. Privacy reset: Say “Alexa, delete what I just said” or “Alexa, delete everything I said today.” Then re-try the command slowly. Mute with the physical mic button when not in use if you prefer – the red light confirms microphones are off.

Privacy Commands to Know

• “Alexa, delete what I just said.”
• “Alexa, delete everything I said today.”
• “Alexa, review my privacy settings.”
• “Alexa, turn on Brief Mode.” – shorter replies
• “Alexa, turn on Whisper Mode.” – whispers back if you whisper
• “Alexa, do not record my voice.”

With Brief Mode on, Alexa replaces “OK, turning on Living Room lights” with a short chime, which makes multi-step routines feel much faster.