Where to find the word count tool

Open your document in Google Docs and look at the top menu bar. Click on Tools, then select Word count from the dropdown. A small window will pop up showing your total word count, character count, and page count. This is the fastest way to check how many words you have written.

The word count window stays open while you work, so you can watch the numbers change as you type. Close it by clicking the X button in the corner of the window, or click Tools > Word count again to toggle it off.

Key Takeaways

  • Click Tools > Word count in the top menu to open the word count window in Google Docs.
  • The word count tool shows total words, characters (with and without spaces), and pages at a glance.
  • You can keep the word count window open while you write to track your progress in real time.
  • Word count updates automatically as you type, so you do not need to reopen the tool to see changes.
  • Google Docs counts only the words in your document body, not text in headers, footers, or comments.

What the word count window actually shows

The word count popup displays four separate numbers. Words is what most people need — it counts every word in your document. Pages shows how many pages your document would be if printed, based on the current font size and margins. Characters appears twice: once including spaces and once without, because some writing tasks (like social media posts or text messages) count characters differently than words.

If you are writing an essay that needs to be 1,500 words, watch the Words number. If you are pasting text into a form that says "500 characters maximum," use the Characters (without spaces) number. The distinction matters because a 500-word essay is roughly 3,000 characters with spaces, but only 2,500 without them.

Using the keyboard shortcut instead

If you use Google Docs often, the keyboard shortcut is faster than clicking through menus. On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + C. On Mac, press Command + Shift + C. The word count window opens when ready. Press the same keys again to close it.

The shortcut works the same way as the menu — the window stays open and updates as you type. Many writers keep it open the entire time they work, especially when writing to a specific word count target.

Why your word count might not match other tools

Google Docs counts words differently than Microsoft Word or other writing software in small but noticeable ways. Google Docs does not count text inside headers, footers, or comments toward your total. If you have a header with your name and the document title, those words are invisible to the word count tool. This is usually what you want — most assignments ask for the body text only — but it can cause confusion if you are comparing counts across programs.

Hyphenated words like "mother-in-law" count as one word in Google Docs, while some other tools count them as two. Numbers written as digits (like "2024") count as one word. If your count seems off compared to what someone else got, ask them which tool they used and whether they included headers or comments.

Checking word count on mobile devices

The word count tool works on phones and tablets, but the steps are slightly different. Open your document in the Google Docs app, tap the three-line menu icon (hamburger menu) in the top left corner, then tap Word count. The same popup appears with words, characters, and pages.

On mobile, the word count window may be harder to keep open while typing because the screen is smaller. You can still open it whenever you need to check your progress — just tap the menu and Word count again. The numbers update the same way as on a computer.

Setting a word count goal and tracking progress

Google Docs does not have a built-in feature to set a target word count and watch a progress bar fill up the way some writing apps do. However, you can use the word count window as your own tracker. Open it, note your target number, and glance at it as you write. Many writers keep a sticky note or phone reminder with their target number so they know what they are aiming for.

If you need a more visual progress tracker, some writers copy their current word count into a separate document or spreadsheet and update it each writing session. This is not necessary for most tasks, but it can help if you are working toward a long-term goal like a 50,000-word novel or a thesis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google Docs count words in text boxes and shapes?

Yes. Any text you type into a text box, shape, or drawing in your document counts toward the total word count. Only headers, footers, and comments are excluded from the count.

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 a specific section, highlight that text and the status bar at the bottom of the screen shows "X words selected." This gives you a quick count without opening the full word count window.

What if the word count window is not showing the right number?

Try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the document. If the number still seems wrong, check whether you have text in headers, footers, or comments — those are not included in the main word count. You can also try selecting all text (Ctrl+A or Command+A) and checking the selection count at the bottom of the screen.

Does word count update in real time as I type?

Yes. The word count window refreshes automatically as you type, delete, or edit text. You do not need to close and reopen it to see the latest number. There may be a one-second delay on very large documents, but the count is always current.