Open the word count tool in Google Docs

Google Docs shows your word count through a built-in tool you access from the menu bar. Click Tools at the top of your document, then select Word count from the dropdown. A box will appear showing the total number of words, characters, and pages in your document.

The word count box stays open while you work, so you can watch the count update as you type or edit. You can close it by clicking the X button in the corner of the box, or by pressing Ctrl+Shift+C on Windows or Command+Shift+C on Mac.

Key Takeaways

  • Open word count by clicking Tools, then Word count from the menu bar.
  • The word count box displays total words, characters (with and without spaces), and page count.
  • You can keep the word count box open while you work and it updates in real time.
  • Keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows) or Command+Shift+C (Mac) opens and closes the word count box.
  • Word count includes all text in your document except comments and suggestions.

What the word count box shows you

The word count window displays four separate numbers. Words is the total count of all words in your document. Pages shows how many pages your document would be if printed with default margins and font size. Characters counts every letter, number, and symbol, including spaces. Characters excluding spaces counts only the actual characters without counting the blank space between words.

Different writing projects need different metrics. A school essay usually counts words. A social media post might focus on character count because platforms like Twitter have character limits. Professional documents often track pages to estimate printing costs or reading time.

Using the keyboard shortcut to save time

If you check word count often, the keyboard shortcut is faster than navigating the menu each time. On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+C. On Mac, press Command+Shift+C. The shortcut opens the word count box if it is closed, and closes it if it is already open.

This works the same way whether you are using Google Docs in a web browser or through the Google Docs mobile app on a tablet. The shortcut does not work on phones because they do not have physical keyboards, but you can still access word count through the menu.

How Google Docs counts words differently than other programs

Google Docs counts hyphenated words as one word, not two. A phrase like "mother-in-law" counts as a single word. Numbers written as digits count as one word each, so "2024" is one word. Contractions like "don't" and "it's" count as one word.

Google Docs does not count text inside comments, suggestions, or footnotes toward your main word count. If you have a document with many comments from reviewers, those words stay separate from your document total. This matters if you are writing something with tracked changes or collaborative feedback.

Checking word count on shared and collaborative documents

When multiple people work on the same Google Docs document, the word count reflects the current state of the document as it appears on your screen. If someone else is editing at the same time, you might see the count change as they add or remove text. The word count updates automatically without you needing to refresh.

If you are working on a document that is shared with edit permissions, you can see the word count at any time. The word count tool works the same way whether the document is yours, shared with you, or owned by someone else — as long as you have permission to view it.

Tracking word count across multiple documents

If you need to count words across several Google Docs files at once, you will need to check each document separately and add the numbers together. Google Docs does not have a built-in feature to sum word counts from multiple documents in one view.

For projects that span many documents, you can keep a simple spreadsheet with each document name and its word count, then use a formula to add them up. Update the spreadsheet each time you check a document's progress. This method works well for tracking a book project, a collection of essays, or any writing that lives across multiple files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Google Docs count words in images or shapes?

No. Google Docs only counts actual text. If you insert an image that contains text, or if you add text inside a shape or text box, that text does count toward your word total. But the image itself and any text that is part of the image file do not.

Can I see word count on my phone or tablet?

Yes. Open the Google Docs app, tap the three-line menu icon at the top left, then scroll down and tap Word count. The same information appears as on a computer. You cannot use the keyboard shortcut on a phone because phones do not have physical keyboards.

What if my word count seems wrong?

Refresh the page or close and reopen the document. Sometimes the count does not update immediately if you have been editing for a long time. If the count still seems off, check whether you have comments or suggestions turned on — those words do not count toward your total.

Does word count include headers and footers?

Yes. Any text you add to the header or footer of your document counts toward the total word count. If you have a title in the header, it adds to your word total.