Beginner's Guide

This guide explains how to get started with Plover. Plover is free stenography software. All the learning resources listed below are free-of-charge.

In order to get started, the main steps are:

Install Plover (the application)
Acquire and connect a keyboard or steno writer
Learn stenography, starting with theory

Download and Install Plover

Plover is an app that translates the strokes you press on your steno machine to entire words. If you do not have a steno machine, Plover can use your regular keyboard as one. It is free to download, and it works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Download and install Plover with the Installation Guide
If you get stuck, see the troubleshooting guide.

Connect a compatible keyboard or stenography machine

Steno involves pressing down groups of keys (called “strokes” or “chords") all at once. Standard QWERTY keyboards can usually only recognize up to six simultaneous key presses, while a dedicated steno writer has no limit to how many simultaneous key presses it can register.

Compatible hardware

See also: Supported hardware

Among other hardware, Plover is compatible with:

Standard keyboards - Requires no additional investment from the average computer user. It is possible to overcome the six simultaneous key presses limitation using arpeggiation. Recommended for those who are unsure whether you want to learn steno. Read the page on using a standard keyboard with Plover.
Hobbyist writers - Pre-built mechanical keyboards specialized for stenography which cost, on average, around $110 USD. Choose from the currently available commercially available hobbyist writers or DIY your own keyboard.
Professional writers - Used by professional stenographers and court reporters, not typically used by the hobbyist community due to their $1000 (used) to $6000 (new) price tags. If you already own one, you can connect it to Plover as long as it uses one of the supported protocols.

With the help of a plugin, it is also possible to use a video game controller with Plover.

Connecting your hardware

Plover connected to a standard keyboard and with Output enabled.

To use a standard keyboard: Plover is set up to use your computer’s typing keyboard by default. You can connect your keyboard by selecting "Keyboard" in the Machine dropdown, and the status message underneath should update to "Connected".

To use a hobbyist or professional writer: see the page on setting up your writer with Plover to connect your hardware to the Plover software. If you're having trouble achieving "Connected" after following the instructions, troubleshoot.

When the "Output" is toggled to disabled, your keyboard will operate as normal and your steno machine will not give any output. When "Output" is toggled to enabled, you will be in steno mode! Plover will type to any place you normally use your keyboard to type (browsers, documents, emails, chat apps, etc.)

Learn and practice

See also: Learning stenography

If you are new to stenography, you can now start learning stenography by memorizing the key layout and choosing a steno theory.

Theory is the set of rules used to learn and write using stenography; a dictionary is an implementation of those rules which allows Plover to interpret your steno strokes and display them in English. Most theories come with a dictionary for you to plug into stenography software, but as your implementation and interpretation changes, so will your dictionary.

If you are new to Plover but not to stenography, upload your dictionary to Plover, learn about Plover's dictionary format, and read the FAQ.

By default, Plover (the software) comes with the dictionary for Plover (the steno theory) already installed.

To use this dictionary, you can learn Plover theory.
If you want to learn a different steno theory, you can upload their dictionary into Plover (or, in the case of Lapwing, install a plugin).
If you have already learned theory and are coming to Plover from a different steno software, you can upload your dictionary into Plover using .rtf format.

Write your first strokes with Plover

To confirm Plover is working correctly, follow this tutorial to write “hello, world.” into a text editor with Plover. Open a text editor and write the steno key strokes in the table below, one row at a time.

format=frameless

Notepad in Windows 11 is buggy with Plover's fast emulated output. Try a different program such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs in a browser, or increase the key press delay.

On a QWERTY keyboard, the steno keys are arranged as follows:

Steno keys on a QWERTY keyboard as understood by Plover.

If you are using a QWERTY keyboard, you may find it helpful to follow the column on the right. Unless you are arpeggiating (rolling) your strokes, make sure to press every single key all at once. Remember to release every key after each stroke.

Output	Steno Stroke	QWERTY Keys
hell	`HEL`	`r` (left index index) `n` (right thumb) `o` (right ring finger)
o	`HRO`	`rf` (left index finger pressing in between) `v` (left thumb)
,	`-RBGS`	`j` (right index finger) `k` (right middle finger) `l` (right ring finger) `;` (right pinkie finger)
world	`WORLD`	`d` (left middle finger) `v` (left thumb) `j` (right index finger) `o` (right ring finger) `[` (right pinkie finger)
.	`-FPLT`	`u` (right index finger) `i` (right middle finger) `o` (right ring finger) `p` (right pinkie finger)

If you see different output, open the paper tape (in Plover’s main window under Tools → Paper Tape) and try the steno strokes again. Verify that the right keys are being registered. If the steno keys shown in the paper tape are not the same as those in the middle column above, first make sure you are pressing the right physical keys. If you are still not getting the right output, have a look at the following:

If you are using a steno machine and are not getting the right keys/output, make sure you have set it up correctly.
If you are using a QWERTY keyboard and are not getting the right keys/output, your keyboard may not have NKRO. Try rolling or arpeggiating your strokes.