Open the word count tool in three clicks

Google Docs shows you a word count box whenever you ask for it. The fastest way is to press Ctrl+Shift+C on Windows or Command+Shift+C on Mac. A small window appears in the bottom right corner of your screen showing words, pages, characters, and characters without spaces.

If keyboard shortcuts do not work for you, use the menu instead. Click Tools at the top of the document, then select Word count from the dropdown. The same window opens in the same spot.

The word count window stays open while you type and updates automatically. You can move it around your screen by dragging the title bar, or close it by clicking the X in the corner. Open it again the same way whenever you need to check your progress.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows) or Command+Shift+C (Mac) to open the word count window when ready.
  • The word count box shows words, pages, characters, and characters without spaces all at once.
  • The window updates in real time as you type and stays open until you close it.
  • You can also reach word count through the Tools menu if the keyboard shortcut does not work on your device.
  • Word count in Google Docs includes all text in the document body but excludes comments and suggestions.

What the word count window actually measures

The word count tool counts every word in your document body — the main text you see on the page. It does not count words inside comments, replies to comments, or tracked changes that have not been accepted yet. If you are working with a document where other people have left feedback, those words stay separate from your count.

The character count includes spaces between words. The "characters without spaces" number shows only the letters, numbers, and punctuation. Both are useful depending on what you need: character count matters for platforms with strict limits (like social media posts), while characters without spaces sometimes matters for technical writing or code documentation.

Google Docs counts pages based on how the document would print. If you change margins, font size, or page orientation, the page count updates automatically. A page is not a fixed number of words — it depends on your formatting choices.

Keep the word count visible while you work

Once you open the word count window, it stays on your screen until you close it. This is useful when you are writing toward a target — a school assignment with a minimum word count, a blog post with a recommended length, or a proposal with space limits. You can glance at the window without opening the menu again.

The window is small and sits in the corner, so it does not block much of your document. If it is in the way, drag it to a different corner or move it to a second monitor if you have one. The position stays where you put it until you close the window.

If you close the window and want it back, use the keyboard shortcut again. Google Docs remembers that you had it open, so the next time you open the same document, you may need to open it again manually — it does not reopen automatically.

Check word count on mobile devices

The Google Docs app on iPhone and Android has word count, but it works differently than on a computer. Open the document, tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then tap Word count. A popup shows your numbers and closes when you tap outside it.

On mobile, the word count does not stay open on screen while you type. You have to open it each time you want to check. This is less convenient for tracking progress toward a target, but it works for a quick check of where you stand.

If you are writing on a phone or tablet and need to watch your count constantly, consider switching to a computer for that task. The desktop version of Google Docs is built for longer writing sessions where you want the word count visible the whole time.

Word count does not include headers, footers, or footnotes

Google Docs counts only the main body text of your document. Headers and footers — the text that repeats at the top and bottom of each page — do not count toward your total. Footnotes and endnotes also stay separate from the word count.

This matters if you are writing something with a strict word limit. A 5,000-word essay with a 500-word header or footnotes section will show 5,000 words, not 5,500. If your assignment or submission has a word limit, check with whoever set it whether headers and footnotes should count — most do not, which is why Google Docs leaves them out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google Docs count words in text boxes and shapes?

Yes. Any text you type inside a text box, shape, or drawing counts toward your total. If you have text floating in boxes around your main document, it all adds to the word count.

Can I set a word count goal and get a warning when I reach it?

Google Docs does not have a built-in goal feature that warns you. You have to watch the word count window yourself and compare it to your target. Some writers keep a sticky note or phone reminder with their target number to make the comparison easier.

Why does my word count look different in Google Docs than in Microsoft Word?

The two programs sometimes count hyphenated words differently — Google Docs may count "mother-in-law" as one word while Word counts it as three. If you need an exact match with Word, copy your document into Word and check the count there before submitting.

Does the word count change if I use Find and Replace?

Yes. When you replace text with different text, the word count updates when ready. If you replace a short phrase with a longer one, your count goes up. The word count window shows the new total right away.

Can I see word count for just part of my document?

Not directly through the word count tool. If you need to count words in one section, select that text, then open the word count window — it will show the count for only the selected text instead of the whole document.