Google Docs has a built-in word count tool that shows your total word count, page count, and character count in a pop-up window. You can get to it in three ways on desktop, and it works on the mobile app too.

Quick answer: open the Tools menu at the top of your screen, select Word Count, and a word count window will appear with everything you need.

Here’s how to use all three desktop methods, plus how to check word count on the Google Docs mobile app for both iOS and Android.

How to Check Word Count in Google Docs on Desktop

Related: How to Check for Plagiarism in Google Docs

There are three methods: the Tools menu, a live counter that stays on screen while you type, and a keyboard shortcut. The keyboard shortcut is the fastest once you know it.

Method 1: Tools Menu

To check word count using the menu bar:

  1. Open your document in a browser.
  2. Click Tools in the top menu bar.
  3. Select Word count from the dropdown.
Google Docs Tools menu open with Word Count option visible
  1. A word count window will appear showing total word count, page count, character count, and characters excluding spaces.
Google Docs word count pop-up window showing pages, words, and characters

Method 2: Display Word Count While Typing

This method keeps the word count visible at the bottom left corner of your screen and updates in real time as you type or delete text. It’s useful when you’re working toward a specific target and don’t want to keep reopening the pop-up window.

To turn it on:

  1. Go to the Tools menu and select Word count.
Google Docs Tools menu open showing Word Count option
  1. In the dialog box, check Display word count while typing, then click OK. The word count will appear in the bottom left corner and stay there as you work.
Google Docs word count dialog box with Display word count while typing checkbox selected

Here’s what it looks like:

Google Docs live word count display at bottom left corner of screen showing pages and characters

You can click the counter at the bottom to switch between displaying words, pages, or characters excluding spaces.

Method 3: Keyboard Shortcut (Ctrl+Shift+C)

The fastest option on desktop. Press Ctrl+Shift+C on Windows or Command+Shift+C on Mac, and the word count window opens immediately without touching the Tools menu.

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows) or Command+Shift+C (Mac).
  2. The word count pop-up window appears with page count, total word count, characters, and characters excluding spaces.
Google Docs word count pop-up window opened via keyboard shortcut
  1. Click OK or press Esc to close it.
Google Docs word count window with OK button to close

How to Check Word Count for a Section of Text

By default, the word count tool counts the entire document, including headers, titles, and captions. To check word count for a specific section of text, highlight that portion with your cursor first, then open the word count window using any of the three methods above. The count will apply only to your selection.

This works across different sections of the document, too. Highlight any range of text and the pop-up window will show the count for that selection only.

Google Docs document with a section of text highlighted to check word count

What the Word Count Tool Does and Does Not Include

A few things worth knowing before you rely on the number:

  • Headers and footers: Text in headers and footers is not included in the word count by default.
  • Footnotes: Footnotes are excluded from the main word count. If your document uses them heavily, the count in the pop-up window will be lower than the total words in the file.
  • Character count: The word count window also shows character count with and without spaces, which is useful if you’re formatting content for social media posts or platforms with character limits.

If your word count differs from what a collaborator sees, formatting differences or footnote-heavy drafts are usually the reason.

How to Check Word Count in Google Docs on Mobile

The Google Docs mobile app handles word count a little differently than the browser version. There’s no live counter option, but the word count window is easy to find on both iOS and Android.

  1. Open the Google Docs app on your mobile device.
  2. Open the document you want to check.
  3. Tap the three-dot (…) icon in the top right of your screen to open the options menu.
Google Docs mobile app with three-dot menu icon visible at top right of screen
  1. Select Word count.
Google Docs mobile app menu showing Word Count option
  1. The word count window appears showing total word count and character count with and without spaces.
Google Docs mobile word count pop-up window showing words and characters
  1. Tap anywhere on the screen to close the word count window.

How to Check Word Count for a Section of Text on Mobile

To check the word count for a specific section of text in the Google Docs mobile app:

  1. Use your finger to highlight the section of text you want to count.
Google Docs mobile app with a section of text highlighted for word count
  1. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of your screen.
Google Docs mobile app three-dot menu icon after text selection
  1. Select Word count from the menu.
Google Docs mobile Word Count option in menu after selecting text
  1. The word count window will show the word count, page count, and character count for the selected text only.
Google Docs mobile word count pop-up showing count details for selected text
  1. Tap anywhere on the screen to close the word count window.

Final Thoughts

The keyboard shortcut is the fastest method on desktop. If you write long-form content regularly, turning on the live counter saves you from checking manually every few minutes. On mobile, the three-dot menu gets you there in two taps.

For related counting tools in Google’s ecosystem, see how to get the word count in Google Sheets and how to count characters in Google Sheets using the LEN function.

Related:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google Docs word count include headers and footers?

No. Text in headers and footers is not included in the word count. The word count tool only counts text in the main body of the document.

Does Google Docs word count include footnotes?

No. Footnotes are excluded from the total word count shown in the pop-up window. If your document relies heavily on footnotes, the count will be lower than the total words in the file.

How do I check word count for just one paragraph or section of text?

Highlight the section of text you want to count, then open the word count tool using the Tools menu or the keyboard shortcut. The count in the word count window will apply to your selection only.

What is the keyboard shortcut for word count in Google Docs on Mac?

Press Command+Shift+C on a Mac to open the word count window. On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+C.

Can I see word count in real time while I type?

Yes. Go to Tools, select Word count, and check the box next to “Display word count while typing.” The live counter will appear at the bottom left corner of your screen and update in real time.

Does the Google Docs word count tool show character count too?

Yes. The word count window shows total word count, page count, character count with spaces, and character count excluding spaces.

How do I check word count in the Google Docs mobile app?

Open your document in the Google Docs app on iOS or Android, tap the three-dot menu icon at the top of your screen, and select Word count. The word count window will display your totals.

Is there a word limit in Google Docs?

Google Docs supports documents up to approximately 1.02 million characters. For most writing projects, you’re unlikely to hit that limit in a single document.