How to Check Word Count on Google Docs (Step-by-Step Guide)
Learn how to check word count in Google Docs on desktop and mobile. Complete guide with keyboard shortcuts, tips, and alternative tools.
Whether you are writing an essay, blog post, or professional document, knowing your word count is essential. Google Docs makes it easy to check word count with built-in tools that work on both desktop and mobile devices. In this comprehensive guide, we will show you every method to check word count in Google Docs, plus some helpful tips and alternatives like our free word counter tool.
Why Word Count Matters
Word count is more than just a number. It plays a crucial role in various writing scenarios:
- •Academic requirements: Essays and assignments often have strict word limits
- •SEO optimization: Search engines favor content with optimal length (typically 1,500+ words for in-depth articles)
- •Professional writing: Contracts, proposals, and reports may have word count specifications
- •Social media: Different platforms have varying character limits
- •Reading time estimation: Helps readers know what to expect (use our reading time calculator for accurate estimates)
How to Check Word Count on Desktop
Checking word count on the desktop version of Google Docs is straightforward. Follow these steps:
Method 1: Using the Menu
- 1Open your document in Google Docs
- 2Click on Tools in the top menu bar
- 3Select Word count from the dropdown menu
- 4A dialog box will appear showing Pages, Words, Characters, and Characters excluding spaces
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Check Keyword DensityHow to Check Word Count on Mobile App
You can also check word count using the Google Docs mobile app on iOS or Android:
- 1Open the Google Docs app and your document
- 2Tap the three-dot menu (More options) in the top right corner
- 3Scroll down and tap Word count
- 4View your word count, character count, and page count
Keyboard Shortcuts for Word Count
Save time with these keyboard shortcuts to quickly access word count:
Windows / Chrome OS
Ctrl + Shift + CMac
Cmd + Shift + CThis shortcut instantly opens the word count dialog, showing you all the statistics you need without navigating through menus.
Show Live Word Count While Typing
Google Docs allows you to display a live word count that updates as you type:
- 1Open the word count dialog (Tools → Word count or use the shortcut)
- 2Check the box that says "Display word count while typing"
- 3Click OK
A small counter will appear at the bottom left of your document. Click on it to toggle between:
- •Word count
- •Page count
- •Character count
- •Character count (excluding spaces)
Character and Page Count
Besides word count, Google Docs provides additional metrics:
Characters
Total characters including spaces. Useful for social media limits.
Characters (no spaces)
Character count excluding spaces. Common for some academic requirements.
Pages
Total page count based on current page setup and formatting.
Words
Total word count for your document or selected text.
Need more detailed character analysis? Try our character counter tool for additional metrics like letter count, digit count, and more.
Common Problems and Fixes
Problem: Word count not showing
Fix: Make sure you are in editing mode, not viewing or suggesting mode. The word count feature may be limited in certain view modes.
Problem: Live counter disappeared
Fix: Go to Tools → Word count and re-enable "Display word count while typing."
Problem: Keyboard shortcut not working
Fix: Check if another application is using the same shortcut. Try refreshing the page or using the menu instead.
Problem: Word count seems incorrect
Fix: Google Docs may count hyphenated words differently. Headers, footers, and footnotes are not included in the count. Select specific text to verify.
Use Wordee Free Word Counter
While Google Docs provides basic word count functionality, our free word counter at Wordee offers advanced features:
- Real-time word, character, sentence, and paragraph count
- Reading time and speaking time estimates
- Keyword density analysis for SEO
- Readability score calculations
- No sign-up required - completely free
Simply paste your text from Google Docs into Wordee and get instant, comprehensive analysis.
Calculate Reading Time Instantly
Want to know how long it will take to read your document? Paste your text into our free reading time calculator.
Calculate Reading TimeFrequently Asked Questions
Where is word count in Google Docs?
In Google Docs, you can find word count by going to Tools > Word count, or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+C (Mac).
Can I see word count while typing in Google Docs?
Yes! Enable 'Display word count while typing' in the Word count dialog box. A small counter will appear at the bottom left of your document.
Does Google Docs count words in headers and footers?
No, the standard word count in Google Docs does not include text in headers, footers, or footnotes. Only the main body text is counted.
How do I check word count for selected text only?
Simply highlight the text you want to count, then go to Tools > Word count or use the keyboard shortcut. Google Docs will show the count for both the selection and the entire document.
Is there a word limit in Google Docs?
Google Docs can handle documents up to 1.02 million characters. For word count, this translates to roughly 150,000-200,000 words depending on average word length.
Can I check word count on Google Docs mobile app?
Yes, on the Google Docs mobile app, tap the three-dot menu icon, then select 'Word count' to see your document's word count statistics.
Conclusion
Checking word count in Google Docs is simple once you know where to look. Whether you use the menu, keyboard shortcuts, or the live counter feature, you can easily track your writing progress. For more advanced analysis including readability scores, keyword density, and detailed character breakdowns, try our free word counter tool.
Happy writing!
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