How do you find your Dragon NaturallySpeaking license key or serial number?

The easiest place to look is inside Dragon itself. In a running copy, open the Help icon and select About Dragon. The serial number appears on that screen, as Nuance's version 16 release notes describe ¹. If you bought a download, the number is also in the confirmation email from Nuance, in both the CSV and HTML files attached to it ². Without an installed copy or that email, you need your order record from the seller.

The serial number matters for three things: installing, activating and upgrading. This page covers where to find it. For the license and subscription differences, see our guide to the Dragon versions and editions. For the product in general, see Dragon NaturallySpeaking.

Find the number inside a running copy

Nuance's version 16 release notes describe a procedure for locating the number when you upgrade. From the Dragon bar, click the Help icon, then select About Dragon. The serial number appears on the screen ¹. The notes describe this for an earlier installation you are upgrading from. We have not checked the same screen in every version, so if the menu is different on your copy, use the email or the order record instead.

If Dragon will not open, this route is closed, so use the email or the order record below.

Find the number in the confirmation email

If you bought the download, Nuance sends a confirmation email. The notes say the serial number is in both the .CSV and the .HTML files attached to that email ². Search your inbox for "Nuance" and the date of your order, and check the attachments rather than the message body.

The notes say nothing about a physical box or a reseller's receipt. For those, check the box card or the order confirmation from the seller, and keep both with your records.

Where the number is needed

Dragon asks for the product serial number during installation. The version 16.1 install wizard says to enter the Dragon 16.1 product serial number, then click Next before you choose a region and installation folder ³. The version 16 wizard works the same way.

Upgrades need the number of the old copy. Nuance says that when you upgrade, the serial number of your existing installation is required ¹. If you are moving to a new version, keep the old number until the new copy is activated.

Activation follows the install. The version 16 notes say you are prompted to activate the product the first time you start it ⁴. If you skip activation, you can run it in trial mode for five launches, which is covered in whether Dragon has a free trial.

What to do if you cannot find the number

Work through these in order.

1. Check the email again. Search for the confirmation message and open both attachments.
2. Check the seller's account or order history. A reseller or Nuance store account may show the order and the number.
3. Check the physical packaging, if you bought a box. We did not find Nuance's text on where the number is printed on a box, so this step relies on the box itself.
4. Contact the seller or Nuance with proof of purchase. We did not verify a Nuance phone line for lost numbers, so use the contact details on the seller's order page or the Nuance product page.

If you have a Mac copy, note that Nuance ended updates for Dragon Professional Individual for Mac in 2018 ⁵, so its activation steps may no longer match the current Windows product. Our page on Dragon for Mac explains the options.

Do not share the serial number with people outside your organization, and do not post it in forums. Once you have it, store it with your purchase record.

For the version you should buy, read where you can still buy Dragon NaturallySpeaking. For upgrading an older copy, read the upgrade path. For the software requirements, see the system requirements. For the category as a whole, return to our overview of dictation software.