The fastest way depends on what you're writing in

Word count lives in different places depending on whether you're working in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, a web browser, or plain text. Most programs show it in a menu or a status bar at the bottom of the window. If you're writing in a document you didn't create yourself — like a form or a shared file — the word count tool might be hidden or work differently.

The steps below cover the most common places you'll need to check. Each program stores word count in a slightly different spot, but the process is straightforward once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft Word displays word count in the status bar at the bottom left, or you can open the full word count dialog from the Review tab.
  • Google Docs shows word count instantly when you press Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows) or Command+Shift+C (Mac), and updates automatically as you type.
  • Online writing tools and text editors often have a word count button in the toolbar or menu, though some require you to select all text first.
  • If your program doesn't show word count, you can paste your text into a free online counter to get an instant result.

Checking word count in Microsoft Word

The easiest method in Word is to look at the bottom left of your window. You'll see a line that says something like "Words: 1,247" — that's your live word count, updating as you type. If you don't see it, the status bar might be turned off.

For more detail — like character count, paragraph count, or reading time — go to the Review tab at the top of the window and click Word Count. A box will pop up showing you everything: words, characters (with and without spaces), paragraphs, and lines. You can leave this box open while you work and it will update in real time.

If the status bar at the bottom is missing entirely, right-click on it and make sure Word Count is checked. If there's no status bar at all, go to File > Options > Advanced, scroll down to Show this number of Recent Documents, and look for a checkbox labeled Show status bar.

Checking word count in Google Docs

Google Docs makes word count the fastest of any program. Press Ctrl+Shift+C on Windows or Command+Shift+C on Mac, and a small box appears showing your word count, character count, and reading time. It closes automatically after a few seconds, or you can click the X to dismiss it.

The word count updates as you type, so you can press the shortcut again anytime to see the current number. If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work, you may have a browser extension or keyboard setting overriding it. Try going to Tools > Word count from the menu instead, which opens the same box.

Checking word count in other online writing tools

Most online editors — like Medium, Substack, Notion, or WordPress — display word count somewhere on the screen. Look for a small number in the top right corner, bottom right corner, or in a sidebar. Some show it only when you click into the editor, and some update it only when you stop typing for a moment.

If you don't see word count displayed, check the menu or settings for that tool. Some programs hide it behind a View menu or a gear icon. A few require you to select all your text first (Ctrl+A or Command+A) before the word count appears.

If the tool genuinely doesn't have a word count feature, copy all your text, paste it into a free online word counter like wordcounter.net or charactercounttool.com, and you'll get an instant result. These sites work in any browser and don't save your text.

Checking word count in plain text editors

Plain text editors like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac) usually don't have built-in word count. If you're working in one of these, the fastest method is to copy your text and paste it into an online counter.

Some plain text editors do include word count if you look in the menu. On Mac, TextEdit has a word count in Format menu if you switch to Rich Text mode first. On Windows, Notepad doesn't have it, but free alternatives like Notepad++ do — look in the Plugins menu.

What counts as a word

Most word counters count the same way: a word is any sequence of characters separated by a space, tab, or line break. Hyphenated words like "mother-in-law" count as one word. Numbers count as words. Contractions like "don't" count as one word, not two.

Different programs may handle punctuation slightly differently, but the variation is usually just one or two words in a long document. If you're writing to meet a specific word count requirement — like for a school assignment or a job application — use the same tool throughout so your count stays consistent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my word count keep changing?

Word count updates as you type in most programs. If you're seeing big jumps, you may have pasted text in or deleted a large section. If the number seems wrong compared to other tools, try copying your text and pasting it into a different counter to verify — different programs occasionally count hyphenated words or numbers slightly differently.

Does word count include the title?

In most programs, yes — the title counts toward your total. If you need to exclude it, check the word count tool's settings. Some programs let you select just the body text before checking, which gives you a count without the title.

Can I see word count while I'm typing without opening a menu?

In Microsoft Word, the status bar at the bottom left shows it constantly. In Google Docs, you have to press the keyboard shortcut each time. Most other programs require you to open a menu or click a button to see it.

What if the word count tool isn't working?

First, make sure you've saved your document — some programs don't count unsaved text. If it's still not working, try copying all your text and pasting it into a free online counter. If that gives you a number, the problem is with that specific program's tool, not with your document.

Do spaces and punctuation count toward word count?

No. Word count counts only words — sequences of characters separated by spaces. Punctuation and spaces themselves don't add to the count, though some tools offer a separate character count that includes them.