Need to hit a 500-word limit or check how long an essay has gotten? Google Docs has a word counter built in, and you don't need to download anything to use it. Here's how to count words on a computer, on your phone, or in just one paragraph.
Open the Word Count Tool on a Computer
The fastest route on a computer is the Tools menu. Open your document in Google Docs, click Tools, then choose Word count.
A small window pops up with your word total, plus the number of pages and characters. When you're done reading it, click Done to close it.
This works the same with a personal Google account and a work or school Google Workspace account. If you can't find the menu, use the keyboard shortcut below or the menu search box covered later.
Use the Keyboard Shortcut Instead
One key combo opens the word count window without touching a menu.
First, click anywhere inside your document so it has focus.
On Windows or a Chromebook, press Ctrl+Shift+C.
On a Mac, press Command+Shift+C instead.
The Word count window opens right away.
Some shortcuts vary by keyboard or language, so fall back to Tools > Word count if nothing happens.
Check Word Count in the Google Docs App
The steps match on Android phones and tablets as well as iPhone and iPad.
- 1.Open the Google Docs app and then your document.
- 2.To count only one passage, select it first.
- 3.Tap More.
- 4.Tap Word count to see words and characters, with and without spaces.
Google's app instructions list only words and characters, with no live counter or page total, so tap More > Word count again whenever you want an updated number. Files opened in Microsoft Office Compatibility Mode are also excluded from word count on mobile.
Keep a Live Word Counter on Screen
Start by opening Tools > Word count.
Next, check the box for Display word count while typing.
Click OK, and a counter appears at the bottom left of the document.
Click that counter any time for more statistics.
To get rid of it, click the counter and choose Hide word count.
Google recommends the live counter for shorter documents and the regular pop-up window for long ones.
Count Words in Just One Section
Sometimes you only care about an abstract, an intro, or a single answer. Highlight that passage with your mouse, then go to Tools > Word count. The number you see covers only what you selected, not the whole file.
If the count still reflects the full document, your selection was cleared. Highlight the text again and open Tools > Word count without clicking inside the page.
Find Word Count Through Menu Search
If you forget where a command lives, Docs can find it for you. Click Search in the toolbar, or go to Help > Search the menus.
You can also press Alt+/ on Windows or a Chromebook, or Option+/ on a Mac.
Type Word count and pick the matching result to open the tool.
When the Count Looks Too Low
The most common cause is that Google Docs leaves headers, footers, and footnotes out of the standard count.
If your assignment rules include footnotes, a counter add-on with footnote options gives you a total that includes them.
Documents split into tabs can also look short. When you need one combined total across tabs, use an add-on with an all-tabs setting.
Try a Word Counter Add-on
For extra features, Word Counter Max for Google Docs is an add-on from Google Workspace Marketplace. It offers live counting, Sidebar and Floating display modes, options for selections and footnotes, and a Sum together all tabs setting.
To install it, open a document on a computer and go to Extensions > Add-ons > Get add-ons. Find it, click Install > Continue, review the access it asks for, click Allow, and finish with Done. To remove it later, go to Extensions > Add-ons > Manage add-ons, open its Options, and click Uninstall.
Older tutorials tell you to pick View (Full) or a separate minimal view. Those modes were merged into one interface in version 7.0, so skip that advice. The publisher also acknowledges that add-on totals can differ from Google's own count, and Word or other Office files must be saved as Google Docs files before any add-on works.
On a work or school account, your organization's settings may stop you from installing an add-on. If the Marketplace listing says the app isn't allowed, has been blocked, or that installation is disabled by your administrator, ask your administrator for access, or stick with the built-in Word count tool, which needs no extra install.
Hear the Word Count With a Screen Reader
Open Tools > Accessibility settings.
Check Turn on screen reader support and press Enter. The shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Z on Windows or Command+Option+Z on Mac does the same, and Chromebooks turn it on automatically when ChromeVox is running.
On Windows or a Chromebook, hold Ctrl+Alt+Shift and press A, then W.
On a Mac, hold Control+Command and press A, then W, and your screen reader reads the count aloud.
This shortcut only speaks the count once screen reader support is turned on in Docs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Google Docs count headers, footers, and footnotes?
No. The standard word count leaves out headers, footers, and footnotes. An add-on such as Word Counter Max has footnote options if you need them included.
Can I see the word count while typing on my phone?
No. Google's help for the Android, iPhone, and iPad apps doesn't include a live counter option. Tap More > Word count whenever you want an updated total.
Why won't word count work on a Word file in the Docs app?
Google excludes files opened in Microsoft Office Compatibility Mode from word count in the mobile apps. Save the file as a Google Docs file first.
Do I need to install anything to count words?
No. Word count is built into Google Docs on the web and in the mobile apps. Add-ons are optional extras.