diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 5548b32285..b0bd72c20a 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](http://semver.org/).
 - CSS styling options to `mwc-tab`
 - `active` attribute to `mwc-tab` when (de)activated
 - Added  custom properties to style `mwc-checkbox`'s colors
+- Added `show` and `close` methods to `mwc-dialog`
 
 ### Fixed
 
diff --git a/packages/dialog/README.md b/packages/dialog/README.md
index 44ffc7c7ed..37f75be808 100644
--- a/packages/dialog/README.md
+++ b/packages/dialog/README.md
@@ -232,7 +232,9 @@ npm install @material/mwc-dialog
 | -------- | -------------
 | `forceLayout() => void` | Forces dialog to relayout (animation frame time). May be required if dialog size is incorrect or if stacked layout has not been triggered correctly.
 | `focus() => void` | Focuses on the initial focus element if defined (see [focus section](#focus)).
-| `blur() => void` | Blurs the active element.
+| `blur() => void`  | Blurs the active element.
+| `show() => void`  | Opens the dialog.
+| `close() => void` | Closes the dialog.
 
 ### Listeners
 | Event Name          | Target       | Description
diff --git a/packages/dialog/src/mwc-dialog-base.ts b/packages/dialog/src/mwc-dialog-base.ts
index d7f7dcea6a..040d8081d8 100644
--- a/packages/dialog/src/mwc-dialog-base.ts
+++ b/packages/dialog/src/mwc-dialog-base.ts
@@ -388,4 +388,12 @@ export class DialogBase extends BaseElement {
           'keydown', this.boundHandleDocumentKeydown);
     }
   }
+
+  close() {
+    this.open = false;
+  }
+
+  show() {
+    this.open = true;
+  }
 }