Open the word count tool in Google Docs

The word count in Google Docs appears in a small popup window that you open from the menu. Click Tools at the top of your document, then select Word count from the dropdown. A box will appear showing your total word count, character count, and page count all at once.

This popup stays on your screen while you work, so you can watch your count grow as you type. You can move it around by dragging the title bar, or close it by clicking the X button when you no longer need it. The numbers update automatically every few seconds, so there is no need to refresh or reopen the tool.

Key Takeaways

  • Open word count by clicking Tools, then Word count — the popup shows word, character, and page totals at once.
  • The word count updates automatically as you type, so you can watch it change without reopening the tool.
  • You can move the word count box anywhere on your screen or close it when you are done checking.
  • Google Docs counts only the text in your document, not text in headers, footers, or comments.
  • The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+C (Mac) opens word count instantly without using the menu.

Use the keyboard shortcut to open word count faster

If you check your word count often, the keyboard shortcut is faster than clicking through the menu each time. Press Ctrl+Shift+C on Windows or Cmd+Shift+C on Mac, and the word count popup opens immediately. The same shortcut closes it again if the popup is already open.

This shortcut works from anywhere in your document — you do not need to click anything first. It is especially useful when you are working toward a target word count and need to check your progress without breaking your typing rhythm.

Understand what Google Docs counts and what it ignores

Google Docs counts the actual words in your document body — the text you see when you read through normally. It does not count words that appear in headers, footers, footnotes, or endnotes. Comments and suggestions also do not factor into the count, even if they contain many words.

Numbers and hyphenated words each count as one word. A date like "March 15, 2024" counts as three words. A hyphenated word like "mother-in-law" counts as one word, not three. If you need to know exactly how Google Docs is counting something specific, the word count popup also shows your character count, which can help you verify the breakdown.

Check word count for only part of your document

You can find the word count for a single paragraph, section, or any portion of text by selecting just that part first. Highlight the text you want to count by clicking and dragging, or by clicking at the start and shift-clicking at the end. Then open the word count tool using Tools > Word count or the keyboard shortcut.

The popup will show the count for your selection at the top, labeled "Words in selection." Your total document count still appears below it, so you can compare the two. This is useful when you are writing a paper with multiple sections and need to know if one part is too long or too short.

Set a word count goal and track your progress

Google Docs lets you set a target word count and see how close you are to reaching it. Open the word count popup, then look for the text field at the bottom that says "Set a target." Type in your goal number — for example, 5000 if you are writing a 5,000-word essay. Google Docs will show you how many words you still need to write.

The progress bar fills as you write, giving you a visual sense of how much work remains. This target stays in place even if you close and reopen the word count popup, so you can keep working toward your goal throughout your writing session. If you change your mind about the target, just clear the field and enter a new number.

Troubleshoot when word count seems wrong

If your word count looks too high or too low, the most common cause is that Google Docs is counting something you did not expect. Check whether you have text in headers or footers — these do not show up in the main count. Look for comments or suggestions that might be throwing off your number. If you are working on a shared document, make sure you are not counting text from other people's comments.

Another reason the count might seem off is if you have pasted text from another source that includes hidden formatting or extra spaces. Try selecting all your text with Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A on Mac), then use Format > Clear formatting to remove any invisible characters. After that, reopen the word count to see if the number changes. If the count still seems wrong after checking these things, try refreshing your browser or reopening the document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google Docs count words in tables?

Yes, Google Docs counts all the text inside table cells as part of your total word count. If you have a table with data that you do not want counted, you will need to select only the text outside the table and check the "Words in selection" number instead of the total.

Can I see word count while I am typing without opening a popup?

Google Docs does not show a live word count in the corner of your screen like some other programs do. You have to open the word count popup to see your numbers. However, you can keep the popup open while you work, and it will update automatically as you type.

What is the difference between word count and character count?

Word count is the number of words in your document. Character count includes every letter, number, space, and punctuation mark. Character count is always much higher than word count. Most writing assignments ask for word count, not character count.

Does word count include the title of my document?

No, the title that appears at the very top of your Google Docs document (where it says "Untitled document" or your custom title) is not counted in the word count. Only the text in the body of the document counts.

Why does my word count keep changing?

If you are working on a shared document with other people, their edits will change your total word count. You might also be seeing changes if you are undoing and redoing edits. The word count updates automatically, so it will always show your current document state.