Google Docs is a powerful and widely used online word processor that offers many useful features for writers, students, and professionals. One of its most essential features is the ability to check word count, which helps users track their writing progress and meet specific word limits. Whether you're working on an essay, blog post, research paper, or report, knowing how to check word count on Google Docs can be extremely beneficial.

In this guide, we will walk you through different methods to view word count in Google Docs, including checking the character count , and using the built-in word counter for Google Docs to enhance your writing efficiency.

Google Docs Word Count

Why is Word Count Important?

Before we explore how to see word count in Google Docs, it's important to understand why word count matters. Many writing tasks come with specific word limits, such as:

  • Academic Papers:Essays and research papers often have minimum or maximum word requirements.
  • Blogging & Content Writing:Many online articles follow specific word count guidelines for SEO optimization.
  • Professional Documents:Business reports, proposals, and emails may require concise writing with a set limit.

How to See Word Count in Google Docs

Google Docs makes it easy to count words using multiple methods. Below are the steps to check word count on both computer and mobile devices.

Method 1: Using the Word Count Tool

The easiest way to check word count in Google Docs is by using the built-in tool. Follow these steps:

  1. Open Your Google Docs Document:Navigate to Google Docs and open the file you want to check.
  2. Go to the Tools Menu:Click on Tools in the top menu bar.
  3. Select Word Count:From the dropdown list, click on Word count.
  4. View the Word Count Details:A small window will pop up displaying:
    • Total word count
    • Character count (with and without spaces)
    • Page count
    • Paragraph count

How to Check Word Count While Typing

If you need to track word count in real time, you can enable a live counter that updates automatically. Here’s how:

  1. Open your document in Google Docs.
  2. Click on Tools in the menu bar.
  3. Select Word count.
  4. Check the box that says "Display word count while typing".
  5. Click OK.

Once enabled, a small word count box will appear in the bottom left corner of your document. You can move or minimize it as needed.

Check Character Count in Google Docs

Apart from word count, you may also need to check character count in Google Docs, especially for social media posts, meta descriptions, or academic abstracts.

To do this:

  1. Open the Word count tool:Go to Tools > Word count.
  2. Look at the character count:The pop-up window will display the character count with and without spaces.
  • Character count (with spaces):Includes all characters, punctuation, and spaces.
  • Character count (without spaces):Excludes spaces, showing only the letters and symbols.

This feature is useful when writing for platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or when adhering to character-limited submission guidelines.

Count Words in Google Docs on Mobile

Google Docs also allows you to check word count using the mobile app. Here’s how:

For Android and iPhone Users

  1. Open the Google Docs app.
  2. Open your document.
  3. Tap the three-dot menu:Located in the top-right corner.
  4. Select "Word count."
  5. View the word and character count:The pop-up window will display the counts.

Using Google Docs Writing Tools for Word Count

Google Docs offers additional writing tools that can help with word count tracking:

  1. Word Counter for Google Docs Add-ons:You can install third-party add-ons for more advanced word tracking. To do this:
    • Click Extensions > Add-ons > Get add-ons.
    • Search for "word counter" and install a preferred tool.
  2. Using Google Docs with Grammarly or Other Writing Tools:Grammarly and other extensions can track word count while providing grammar suggestions.
  3. Exporting Google Docs to Microsoft Word:If you prefer checking word count in MS Word, download your document as a .docx file and check the count in Word.

Word Count FAQs

Does Google Docs Count Words in Headers and Footers?
No, Google Docs only counts words in the main document body, excluding headers, footers, and footnotes.

Can I Count Words in a Specific Section?
Yes! Simply highlight the section of text you want to count, then open Word count (Tools > Word count), and it will display the word count for just that selection.

What’s the Shortcut for Word Count in Google Docs?
You can quickly open the word count window by pressing:

  • Windows/Linux:Ctrl + Shift + C
  • Mac:Command + Shift + C

This shortcut saves time and gives instant access to word count details.