To get a word count in Google Docs, click Tools > Word count, or press Ctrl + Shift + C (Command + Shift + C on a Mac). A box shows the number of pages, words, characters, and characters without spaces. Check Display word count while typing to keep a live count on screen.
This guide covers Google Docs on a computer and in the Google Docs app for iPhone, iPad, and Android. The steps match Google’s help page on counting words, checked in October 2026.
How to Get a Word Count in Google Docs
- Open your document in Google Docs on a computer. Result: the document is open.
- Click Tools at the top of the page. Result: the Tools menu opens.
- Click Word count, or press Ctrl + Shift + C. Result: the Word count box appears.
- Read the counts for pages, words, characters, and characters excluding spaces. Result: you have the totals for the document.
- Click Done to close the box. Result: you are back in your document.
Google suggests this method for long documents, like novels or screenplays, where you only need to check the total now and then.
How to Show the Word Count While You Type
For shorter pieces, like school essays or articles with a word limit, a live count is handier:
- Open Tools > Word count. Result: the Word count box opens.
- Check Display word count while typing. Result: the option is selected.
- Click OK. Result: a small word count box appears in the bottom-left corner.
Click that box to switch between pages, words, characters, and characters without spaces. To remove it, click the box and choose Hide word count.
How to Count Words in Part of a Document
Highlight the text you want to count, then open Tools > Word count. The box shows the count for your selection along with the total for the whole document. This is useful for checking one section, an abstract, or an answer that has its own limit.
What Google Docs Counts
- Included: the main body of the document.
- Left out: headers, footers, and footnotes, unless you select that text first.
- Not available: word count does not work in Google Sheets, Google Slides, or Google Docs opened in Microsoft Office compatibility mode.
If you are editing a Word file and the option is missing, convert it first with File > Save as Google Docs. If your assignment counts footnotes, select them and check that count separately. See how to add footnotes in Google Docs.
How to See the Word Count on a Phone or Tablet
- Open the Google Docs app and open your document. Result: the document appears.
- Tap More (three dots). Result: a menu opens.
- Tap Word count. Result: you see the number of words, characters, and characters excluding spaces.
The steps are the same on iPhone, iPad, and Android.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the word count include footnotes?
No. Google says the count covers everything except headers, footers, and footnotes, unless you select that text.
Does the live word count show on my phone?
Google documents the Display word count while typing option for the computer version. On a phone, use More > Word count when you need to check.
Does Google Sheets or Slides have a word count?
No. Word count is only available in Google Docs.
Related Guides
- How to make Google Docs read to you
- How to search for a word in Google Docs
- How to insert a page break in Google Docs
- How to translate a document in Google Docs
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.