So you've got an Amazon Echo but you're twiddling your thumbs, unsure what to actually say to it. Whether you're looking for music commands or just stuck for something to ask, we're here with our favourite Amazon Alexa commands.
And it's not just about music on demand. Alexa will help you control your smart home gear, get reminders and access news too.
Read this: The best Amazon Alexa Skills
This is designed to be a starter list that covers the basics but once you've got going, also check our our guide to the Alexa skills to try - using third-party services - and also our fun list of Alexa Easter Eggs too. We also have a dedicated guide to the best Amazon Echo Show and Spot skills.
First up, one for all occasions when you just want your voice assistant to shut up: "Alexa, stop". Now you know that one – here's 80 more to get on with.
Your first Alexa commands
"Alexa, play [artist] name."
"Alexa, set timer for [xx] minutes."
"Alexa, what's the weather today?"
"Alexa, set an alarm for [time]."
"Alexa, play [radio station]."
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Essential Alexa music commands
"Alexa, play [genre]"
"Alexa, play [playlist name] from [music service]."
"Alexa, play the latest [artist name] [album/song]"
"Alexa, play Sunday morning music"
"Alexa, who sings this song?"
"Alexa, pair my phone"
"Alexa, louder"
"Alexa, set volume to 6"
"Alexa, turn this off in [xx minutes]."
For Sonos users with Sonos skill installed: “Alexa, play [song] by [artist] from [service] in the [Sonos device name]”
"Alexa, create a '[xxx xxxx]' playlist." [change name as apporpriate]
How to use Alexa EQ controls
"Alexa, set the treble to three"
"Alexa, set night/ mode"
“Alexa, increase bass.”
"Alexa, decrease treble.”
“Alexa, increase bass in living room.”
"Alexa, set night mode on bedroom TV."
“Alexa, set movie mode.”
"Alexa, set bass to two on sound bar.”
Alexa movie/TV commands
“Alexa, what is the IMDb rating for [show/movie]?”
“Alexa, tell me about the movie [whatever it’s called]”
“Alexa, who starrs in [show/movie]?”
Alexa Fire TV commands
"Alexa, watch [title]”
"Alexa, open Netflix”
“Alexa, pause."
"Alexa, fast forward [x] minutes"
"Alexa, next / next Episode."
"Alexa, turn volume down on Fire TV."
"Alexa, show me movies with [actor's name]"
Alexa timers and alarm commands
"Alexa, set alarm for [time]"
"Alexa, wake me up everyday at [time]"
"Alexa, wake me up at [time] to [music or radio station]."
"Alexa, snooze" [For nine minutes]
"Alexa, set timer for [X minutes]."
“Alexa, set a 10 minute [pizza] timer.” (If using multiple timers, Alexa will tell you your "pizza is ready".
"Alexa, how long is left on the timer?"
"Alexa, stop the timer"
Checking calendars and reminders
"Alexa, what's on my schedule?"
"Alexa, add an event on my calendar"
"Alexa, add features meeting to my calendar on Thursday at 4.30"
"Alexa, what am I doing tomorrow?"
"Alexa, add hair cut to my to do list"
"Alexa, what's on my to-do list?"
Getting everyday info
"Alexa, what's the weather like?"
"Alexa, will it rain today?"
"Alexa, what will the weather be like tomorrow?"
"Alexa, what's in the news?"
"Alexa, what's the traffic like?"
"Alexa, what time is it in [city or country]?"
"Alexa, what movies are playing?"
"Alexa, what's yesterday's [team name] score?"
"Alexa, when is the next [team name] game?"
Controlling your smart home
This will all depend on your having a house full of Alexa compatible smart home tech. If you do, try these:
"Alexa, discover my devices" [to find smart home tech]
"Alexa, lights on"
"Alexa, lights off/out"
"Alexa, dim the lights to 50%"
"Set the light to blue."
"Alexa, set the temperature to 21"
"Alexa, trigger Purple Rain recipe" [for IFTTT]
"Alexa, lock the front door"
"Alexa, turn on the TV"
Making and taking calls
"Alexa, call Siraaj"
"Alexa, answer the call"
"Alexa, hang up"
"Alexa, Drop In on the living room"
"Alexa, play messages"
"Alexa, announce that [message]" – plays on all home network Echos.
Shopping
"Alexa, buy more [Amazon item]."
"Alexa, order [Amazon item]"
"Alexa, what's on my shopping list?"
"Alexa, add [item] to my shopping list"
"Alexa, where's my stuff?" [to track order]
The Ambient's favourite commands
“Alexa, bedtime” (Start's bedtime routine – check out our Alexa Routines guide)
"Alexa, show me [camera name]." (Works with display devices Echo Spot and Echo Show.)
"Alexa, play that song that goes 'my left hook just went viral"
"Alexa, flip a coin"
"Alexa, how do you make [recipe]?"
"Alexa, how do you spell [word]?"
"Alexa, switch accounts" [to change profiles]
"Alexa, open Domino's skill" [to enable a skill for the first time]
"Alexa, sing me a song"
"Alexa, make animal noises"
"Alexa, pair my phone"
What do you think?