How to Show Word Count in Google Docs
Need to track your word count for an essay, blog post, or document? This guide covers all methods to check word count in Google Docs, including a live counter that updates as you type.
Quick Answer
To see word count in Google Docs, press Ctrl + Shift + C on Windows, or Cmd + Shift + C on Mac. Or go to Tools → Word count.
Why Check Word Count?
Knowing your word count in Google Docs is essential for many writing tasks. Whether you're working on an essay with a word limit, writing a blog post, or tracking your progress on a novel, word count helps you stay on target.
Common reasons to check word count:
- Academic assignments - Meet essay and paper requirements
- Content writing - Hit target lengths for blog posts and articles
- Professional documents - Keep reports concise
- Creative writing - Track daily writing goals
- SEO content - Optimize content length for search engines
Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest)
The quickest way to check word count in Google Docs is using a keyboard shortcut:
Windows / Chromebook
Mac
When you press this shortcut, a dialog box appears showing:
- Pages - Total number of pages
- Words - Total word count
- Characters - Character count (with spaces)
- Characters excluding spaces - Character count without spaces
Method 3: Display Word Count While Typing
Google Docs can show a live word count that updates as you type. This is perfect for tracking progress toward a word count goal:
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Go to Tools → Word count (or press Ctrl+Shift+C).
- In the dialog box, check the box that says "Display word count while typing".
- Click OK.
A small box will appear at the bottom-left of your document showing the current word count. Click on it to see more details (pages, characters, etc.).
Pro Tip: Click on the word count display box to cycle through different metrics: words, pages, characters, or characters excluding spaces.
How to Hide the Word Count Display
To hide the persistent word count display:
- Click on the word count box at the bottom-left.
- Click Hide word count.
Alternatively, go to Tools → Word count and uncheck "Display word count while typing."
Word Count for Selected Text
You can check the word count for a specific section of your document:
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Select the text you want to count by clicking and dragging.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + C (or Cmd + Shift + C on Mac).
- The dialog will show the word count for your selection AND the total document.
The word count dialog displays both numbers:
- Selection: Word count for highlighted text
- Total: Word count for entire document
Word Count on Mobile (iOS & Android)
You can also check word count in the Google Docs mobile app:
Android Instructions
- Open your document in the Google Docs app.
- Tap the three-dot menu (More) in the top-right corner.
- Tap Word count.
- View your word count, character count, and page count.
iOS (iPhone/iPad) Instructions
- Open your document in the Google Docs app.
- Tap the three-dot menu (More) in the top-right corner.
- Scroll down and tap Word count.
- View your document statistics.
Note: The "Display word count while typing" feature is not available on mobile devices. You'll need to manually check word count each time.
Character Count in Google Docs
Google Docs also shows character count, which is useful for:
- Twitter/X posts (280 character limit)
- Meta descriptions (155-160 characters)
- SMS messages (160 characters per segment)
- Application forms with character limits
When you open the word count dialog (Ctrl+Shift+C), you'll see two character metrics:
- Characters: Total character count including spaces
- Characters excluding spaces: Character count without spaces
If you have "Display word count while typing" enabled, click on the display box to cycle through metrics - one of the options shows character count.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Keyboard Shortcut Not Working?
- Make sure you're in editing mode - not viewing or suggesting mode.
- Check for conflicting shortcuts - Some browser extensions may intercept keyboard shortcuts.
- Try the Tools menu - Tools → Word count always works.
- Refresh the page - Sometimes a page refresh fixes shortcut issues.
Word Count Display Disappeared?
- Go to Tools → Word count.
- Make sure "Display word count while typing" is checked.
- The display appears at the bottom-left of the document.
Word Count Seems Incorrect?
- Google Docs counts hyphenated words as one word.
- Numbers are counted as words.
- Headers, footers, and footnotes ARE included in the count.
- Text in tables IS included in the count.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the keyboard shortcut for word count in Google Docs?
The keyboard shortcut is Ctrl+Shift+C on Windows and Chromebook, or Cmd+Shift+C on Mac.
How do I see word count while typing?
Go to Tools → Word count, then check "Display word count while typing." A live counter will appear at the bottom-left of your document.
Does Google Docs count words in headers and footers?
Yes, Google Docs includes text in headers, footers, and footnotes in the word count. It also counts text in tables.
How do I check word count for just part of my document?
Select the text you want to count, then press Ctrl+Shift+C (or Cmd+Shift+C on Mac). The dialog will show both the selection count and total document count.
Can I see page count in Google Docs?
Yes, the word count dialog (Tools → Word count) shows page count along with word count and character count.
Does word count work offline in Google Docs?
Yes, if you have offline mode enabled, you can still check word count using the keyboard shortcut or Tools menu.
Summary
Checking word count in Google Docs is easy with these methods:
- Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+C (Mac) for instant word count.
- Tools menu: Tools → Word count for a menu-based approach.
- Live display: Enable "Display word count while typing" for a persistent counter.
- Mobile: Three-dot menu → Word count on the mobile app.
The keyboard shortcut is the fastest method. For ongoing tracking, enable the live word count display to see your progress as you type.
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