Open the Tools menu and select Word count

The fastest way to see how many words you have written is to click Tools in the top menu bar, then click Word count from the dropdown. A small window will pop up showing your total word count, character count (with and without spaces), and page count. This window stays open while you work, so you can watch the numbers change as you type.

If you want to count words in only part of your document, highlight the text first, then open Tools and Word count. The window will show counts for just the selected text instead of the whole document.

Key Takeaways

  • Click Tools, then Word count to see your total words, characters, and pages in a single window.
  • Highlight any section of text first to count only that portion instead of the whole document.
  • The word count window stays open while you type so you can monitor your progress toward a target.
  • Google Docs counts hyphenated words as one word and does not count words in comments or suggestions.

What the word count window shows you

The word count popup displays four pieces of information. Words is the total number of words in your document or selection. Pages is an estimate based on standard formatting — this number can shift if you change margins, font size, or spacing. Characters shows two numbers: one that includes spaces between words and one that does not.

Most people only need the word count number. The character counts matter if you are writing for a platform with character limits, like social media posts or text messages. The page count is useful for school assignments or documents where length is measured in pages rather than words.

Using the keyboard shortcut

On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + C to open word count when ready. On Mac, press Command + Shift + C. This shortcut works from anywhere in your document — you do not have to navigate to the Tools menu. If you use this shortcut often, it becomes faster than clicking through menus.

The keyboard shortcut opens the same word count window as the menu method, so the information displayed is identical. If the shortcut does not work, your browser or keyboard settings may be blocking it — in that case, the Tools menu method will always work.

What Google Docs counts and does not count

Google Docs counts every word in your document body, including words in headers, footers, and text boxes. Hyphenated words like "mother-in-law" count as one word. Numbers written as digits (like "5" or "2024") count as one word each. Words in comments, suggestions, or tracked changes do not count toward your total.

If you have a document shared with others who are making suggestions, those suggested words are not included in your word count. Only the words that are actually in the document text itself are counted. This matters if you are working on a collaborative document and need an accurate count of what is actually there.

Counting words in a Google Doc you do not own

If someone shared a document with you but did not give you editing permission, you can still see the word count. Open the document, go to Tools, and click Word count. You will see the counts for the entire document even if you can only view it, not edit it. This works the same way whether you have view-only or commenting access.

If you want to count only a section of a shared document, you can highlight that text and check the word count, just as you would in your own document. The word count tool does not require editing permission to work.

Tracking word count over time

Google Docs does not automatically save a history of your word counts, but you can keep track manually by taking screenshots or writing down the number at the end of each writing session. Some writers keep a straightforward spreadsheet where they record the date and word count to see their progress on a long project.

If you need detailed version history, Google Docs does save every change you make. Click File, then Version history to see a timeline of edits. You can click on any earlier version and check its word count, though you would have to do this manually for each version you want to compare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google Docs count words in images or embedded objects?

No. Google Docs only counts text. If you insert an image, chart, or embedded video, those do not add to your word count. Only the actual text in your document counts toward the total.

Why does my word count change when I edit?

Word count changes because you are adding or removing words. Deleting a sentence lowers the count. Adding a paragraph raises it. If you notice the count jumping unexpectedly, you may have accidentally pasted text from another source, or someone else may have edited the document if it is shared.

Can I set a word count goal in Google Docs?

Google Docs does not have a built-in goal feature, but you can open the word count window and keep it visible while you write. Some writers set a target number and check the window periodically to see how close they are. Third-party writing apps that connect to Google Docs may offer goal tracking.

Does word count include the title?

Yes. If your title is in the document itself, it counts toward the total. If your title is only in the file name (not in the document text), it does not count. Most school assignments count the title as part of the word count.