How to Use ChatGPT: A Step-by-Step Guide for Complete Beginners

You've heard people talking about ChatGPT. Maybe your grandchildren mentioned it, or you saw it on the BBC. But what actually is it, and how do you get started?

ChatGPT is a free tool you can use on your computer, tablet, or phone. You type a question or request, and it writes back to you. Think of it like having a very patient helper who never gets tired of your questions. It won't judge you, and you can't break it.

This guide will walk you through everything, step by step. No rush. Go at your own pace.

What You'll Need Before You Start

Not much, honestly. You'll need:

• A computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access
• An email address
• About ten minutes

That's it. You don't need to download anything special, and you don't need to pay. The free version does plenty.

Step 1: Go to the ChatGPT Website

Open your web browser (that's Safari, Chrome, or whatever you use to go online). In the address bar at the top, type chat.openai.com and press Enter.

You'll see a simple page with an option to sign up or log in. If this is your first time, click "Sign up".

Step 2: Create Your Account

You'll be asked for your email address and to create a password. Pick something you'll remember, or write it down somewhere safe. You can also sign up using your Google account if you have one, which saves a step.

They'll send a confirmation email. Pop into your inbox, find the email from OpenAI, and click the link. Done.

One thing that catches people out: sometimes the confirmation email lands in your spam or junk folder. If you don't see it after a minute, have a look there.

Step 3: Type Your First Question

Once you're logged in, you'll see a text box at the bottom of the screen. That's where you type. It really is that simple.

Try something like:

"Can you explain what artificial intelligence is in simple terms?"

Press Enter (or tap the little arrow button), and wait a few seconds. ChatGPT will start typing back to you. You'll see the words appear on screen as if someone were typing them in real time.

Here's what actually matters: you can't ask a wrong question. If ChatGPT doesn't understand, it'll ask you to rephrase. If it gives you too technical an answer, just say "Can you explain that more simply?" and it will.

Step 4: Have a Conversation

ChatGPT remembers what you've said during your conversation. So you can ask follow-up questions without repeating yourself.

For example:

• You: "What's a good recipe for a Victoria sponge?"
• ChatGPT gives you a recipe
• You: "Can you make that for 6 people instead of 8?"
• ChatGPT adjusts the quantities

It's like chatting with someone who's paying close attention. You don't need to start from scratch each time you ask something new in the same conversation.

What Can You Actually Ask It?

Quite a lot, really. Here are some ideas to get you going:

• Write something for you. "Write a thank you letter to my neighbour for looking after my cat."
• Explain things. "What does 'inflation' mean in plain English?"
• Help with planning. "Plan a three-day trip to the Lake District for two people who don't drive."
• Get recipe ideas. "What can I make for dinner with chicken, potatoes, and broccoli?"
• Translate text. "How do you say 'where is the train station' in French?"
• Settle a debate. "What year was the first mobile phone call made?"

You'll be surprised how useful it is once you start experimenting. The more specific you are with your question, the better the answer.

Tips for Getting Better Answers

ChatGPT works best when you give it a bit of context. Compare these two questions:

Vague: "Tell me about gardening."

Better: "I'm a beginner gardener in the north of England. What vegetables can I plant in March?"

The second question gets you a much more useful answer because ChatGPT knows your situation.

A few more tips:

• If the answer is too long, say "Can you give me a shorter version?"
• If you want a list, ask for one: "Give me a bullet-point list of..."
• If something seems wrong, ask it to double-check: "Are you sure about that?"
• You can ask it to change the tone: "Rewrite that in a more friendly way"

What NOT to Tell ChatGPT

This is really important. ChatGPT is helpful, but it's not private in the way a conversation with your doctor is. Don't share:

• Your full name and address together
• Bank details, card numbers, or PINs
• Your NHS number or National Insurance number
• Passwords

Think of it this way: don't type anything you wouldn't write on a postcard. For more on this, have a read of our guide to staying safe with AI.

When ChatGPT Gets Things Wrong

It will sometimes. ChatGPT is very good at sounding confident, even when it's making things up. This is called a "hallucination" in AI terms, which is a fancy way of saying it's guessed and got it wrong.

It's particularly unreliable with very recent news, specific statistics, and anything involving real people's personal details. Use it as a starting point, not the final word. If something matters (like medical or legal information), always check with a proper source.

But for everyday tasks like drafting letters, brainstorming ideas, or explaining concepts? It's genuinely brilliant.

Starting a New Conversation

After you've been chatting for a while, you might want to start fresh. Look for a button that says "New chat" (usually in the top left corner or sidebar). This clears the slate so ChatGPT forgets your previous conversation and starts from scratch.

This is useful when you want to ask about something completely different. You don't have to start a new chat, but it can help keep things tidy.

Using ChatGPT on Your Phone

There's an app for both iPhones and Android phones. Search for "ChatGPT" in the App Store or Google Play Store. Make sure it's the official one by OpenAI (there are copycats).

The app works exactly the same way as the website. You can even talk to it using your voice instead of typing, which some people find easier.

Don't Worry About Getting It Perfect

The best way to learn ChatGPT is to just have a go. You won't break anything, and there's no one watching. If you type something silly, so what? Delete the chat and move on.

In my experience, people who try ChatGPT for the first time are usually surprised by how easy it is. The hardest part is just getting started.

So pop over to chat.openai.com, sign up, and ask it something. Anything. "What should I have for dinner tonight?" is a perfectly good first question.

What to Try Next

Now that you know the basics, why not explore some more? We've got a list of 10 useful things you can ask ChatGPT, or if you're curious about staying safe, check out our guide on what you should never tell ChatGPT.

And remember: there's no such thing as a silly question. ChatGPT won't mind, and neither do we.