How to Check Word Count on Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want to know how many words you’ve written in your Google Doc? It’s pretty simple! Google Docs has a built-in feature that counts the words for you. All you need to do is click a few buttons, and voilà, you’ll see your word count in no time. Whether you’re a student trying to meet a word limit for an essay or a writer keeping track of your progress, this feature is super handy.

Step by Step Tutorial: Checking Word Count on Google Docs

Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand what we are aiming to achieve. The following steps will guide you through the process of checking the word count of your document on Google Docs. This is helpful for keeping track of the length of your work and ensuring you meet any required word counts.

Step 1: Open your Google Doc

Open the Google Doc you want to check the word count for.

When you open your document, make sure you’re logged into your Google account. If you’re not logged in, you won’t be able to see the word count.

Step 2: Click on ‘Tools’

Find the ‘Tools’ menu at the top of the page and click on it.

The ‘Tools’ menu is on the top bar, between ‘Insert’ and ‘Add-ons’. It’s where you find all the different tools that Google Docs offers to help you with your document.

Step 3: Select ‘Word count’

In the dropdown menu from ‘Tools’, click on ‘Word count’.

This will open a small window with your document’s statistics, including the number of pages, words, characters, and characters excluding spaces.

Step 4: View your word count

A box will pop up displaying the word count for your document.

The pop-up window will show you the total number of words in your document. If you only want to count the words in a specific section, simply highlight that section before clicking on ‘Word count’.

After completing these steps, you will have successfully checked the word count of your document on Google Docs.

Tips for Checking Word Count on Google Docs

• If you want to keep an eye on your word count as you type, you can select the checkbox that says ‘Display word count while typing’ in the word count window.
• Remember that the word count tool also counts any words in headers, footers, and footnotes.
• If you’re working on a document with others, the word count will update in real-time as they add or remove content.
• Google Docs also counts symbols and numbers as words, so keep that in mind if your document includes a lot of non-text elements.
• If you need to track your word count often, you can use a keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+Shift+C on Windows or Command+Shift+C on Mac) to open the word count tool quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google Docs count words in images or shapes?

No, Google Docs does not count words that are inside images or shapes. The word count tool only counts text that is typed out in the document.

Can I check the word count on the Google Docs mobile app?

Yes, you can check the word count on the mobile app by tapping on the three dots in the upper right corner, scrolling down, and selecting ‘Word count’.

Is there a way to count words in a specific section of my document?

Absolutely! Just highlight the section you want to count, then go to ‘Tools’ and select ‘Word count’. The pop-up will show you the count for the highlighted section.

Does the word count feature work on different browsers?

Yes, the word count feature works across different browsers as long as you’re using Google Docs.

Can the word count tool count the number of paragraphs in my document?

No, the word count tool does not provide a paragraph count. It only counts pages, words, characters, and characters excluding spaces.

Summary

1. Open your Google Doc.
2. Click on ‘Tools’.
3. Select ‘Word count’.
4. View your word count.

Conclusion

Now you know how to check word count on Google Docs! It’s a simple yet effective tool that can help keep your writing on track. No matter if you’re penning an epic novel or jotting down notes for a presentation, knowing how to quickly find your word count can save you time and hassle. And with the additional tips provided, you’re well-equipped to navigate word counts like a pro.

Remember, writing is not just about reaching a word count; it’s about expressing ideas and sharing stories. But when you do need to keep an eye on the length of your writing, Google Docs makes it a breeze. So, go ahead and write to your heart’s content, secure in the knowledge that you can check your progress with just a few clicks. Happy writing!