To check word count in Google Docs on a computer, press Ctrl + Shift + C (Windows or Chromebook) or ⌘ + Shift + C (Mac), or click Tools → Word count. Tick Display word count while typing to keep a live total at the bottom left.
In the Docs app on Android or iPhone, tap More (the three dots) → Word count. To count only part of a document, select that text first.
Essays, cover letters, applications and blog posts often come with a word limit. Google Docs has a built-in counter that shows words, characters and pages, and it can stay on screen while you write. Here’s how to use it on every device, plus what it leaves out. More tips are in our Google guides.
Check the word count in Google Docs on a computer
- Open your document in Google Docs.
- Click Tools → Word count, or use the shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + C on Windows and ChromeOS, ⌘ + Shift + C on a Mac.
- Read the totals for Pages, Words, Characters and Characters excluding spaces.
- Click Done to close the box.
This works the same in Chrome, Edge, Safari and other browsers, because the counter is part of Google Docs rather than your browser.
Show a live word counter while you type
If you’re writing to a limit, a running total saves you opening the box again and again.
- Open the word count box with Tools → Word count or the shortcut.
- Tick Display word count while typing, then click OK.
- A small word count box now sits at the bottom left of the document and updates as you write.
- Click the box to switch what it shows, such as pages, characters or characters excluding spaces.
- To hide it, click the box and choose Hide word count.
Writing to a character limit, such as a social post or a form field? Click the live counter and switch it to characters, so you see that number instead of words.
Count words in just part of a document
Google says the counter covers the whole document unless you select a section. To count one paragraph, one answer on an application, or everything except your reference list:
- Highlight the text you want to count with your mouse or trackpad.
- Press the word count shortcut or open Tools → Word count.
- The box now shows the count for the text you selected.
This is handy when you’re trimming one section to fit, or when a form asks for a limit on each answer rather than the whole document. Select one answer, check it, then move on to the next.
On Android, iPhone and iPad
The Google Docs app shows word count too. It doesn’t have the always-on counter, but it takes two taps.
- Open the Google Docs app and open your document.
- Tap More (the three dots).
- Tap Word count to see Words, Characters and Characters excluding spaces.
To count part of a document on your phone, select the text first, then open Word count from the same menu.
What the counter includes and leaves out
Knowing what’s counted avoids surprises when a teacher or website gets a different number.
| Part of the document | Counted? |
|---|---|
| Body text, headings, lists and tables | Yes |
| Headers and footers | No, unless you select them |
| Footnotes | No, unless you select them |
| Text you’ve selected | Shown separately from the total |
Why other tools show a different number
Different apps don’t always agree. Some count a hyphenated word as one word and others as two. Some include footnotes or text boxes. Numbers, links and symbols can be treated differently too. If your limit is strict, use the counter your teacher, school or website uses, and leave a little room.
Want a second opinion or to count text that isn’t in a doc? Paste it into our free word counter.
Runs in your browser: nothing you enter or choose is uploaded.
Start typing or paste text: words, characters, reading time, readability and your top words appear here as you go.
Example "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
| Words | 9 |
|---|---|
| Characters | 44 |
| Reading time | under a minute |
If word count is missing or greyed out
- You’re in Sheets or Slides. Google says word count is only available in Google Docs.
- The file is a Word document. Docs opened in Microsoft Office Compatibility Mode don’t offer word count. Save a copy as a Google Docs file from the File menu, then try again.
- The shortcut does nothing. Click inside the document first, then press the keys. Browser extensions can sometimes take over shortcuts; the Tools menu always works.
- The live counter disappeared. Open Tools → Word count and tick Display word count while typing again.
Tips for hitting a word limit
- Turn on the live counter before you start, so you notice when a section runs long.
- Select each section in turn to see where the words are going.
- Check what your limit includes. Some assignments leave out the title, quotes or the reference list, so select only the parts that count and check that number instead of the total.
- Cut filler first: “in order to” becomes “to”, “due to the fact that” becomes “because”.
- If you use AI tools to help draft or shorten, check your school’s rules first. Our guide to the best AI for writing essays covers how to use them responsibly.
Pasting your writing into an AI chatbot and worried about length limits? Those tools count tokens rather than words. Our AI token counter estimates it for you.
Related guide: Microphone Not Working on Windows 11? 9 Fixes That Work.
FAQ
What is the shortcut for word count in Google Docs?
Press Ctrl + Shift + C on Windows or a Chromebook, or ⌘ + Shift + C on a Mac.
Does Google Docs count footnotes?
Not by default. Google says the count covers everything except headers, footers and footnotes, unless you select them.
Can I see the word count while I type?
Yes, on a computer. Open Tools → Word count, tick Display word count while typing and click OK. The live counter isn’t available in the phone apps.
How do I count characters instead of words?
The same box shows Characters and Characters excluding spaces. On a computer, click the live counter to switch it to characters.
Is there a word count in Google Sheets or Slides?
No. Google says word count is only available in Google Docs. Paste the text into a doc, or into our free word counter, to count it.
