How to Check Word Count in Google Docs (Computer and Phone)

Blog posts, bios, product descriptions, application forms with a limit: whenever I'm writing to a length, I want the number in front of me while I type. Google Docs can do that, but it only shows the count if you ask it to.

Here's how to see your words on a computer and on an Android phone, using Google's help pages, plus a handful of details that explain why your count might differ from another tool's.

Opening the Google Docs word count box on a computer

Google's help article on counting words in a document gives these steps:

1. Open your document in Google Docs on your computer.
2. Click Tools, then Word count.
3. Read the word, character and page counts.
4. Click Done to close the window.

There's a faster way. Google's keyboard shortcuts article lists Ctrl + Shift + C on Windows and Chrome OS and Command + Shift + C on a Mac for Word count. Press it and the same box opens.

Keeping a running word count visible while you type

For shorter pieces, you can leave the count on screen. In the Word count window, tick Display word count while typing and click OK. A small Word count box then appears in the bottom left of the document.

Click that box and you'll see pages, words, characters and characters without spaces. To hide it again, click the box and choose Hide word count. It's per document, so tick it in each one you want.

Counting the words in just one section of a Google Docs document

Google's help says the count leaves out headers, footers and footnotes unless you select a section. So if you only want the count for one paragraph, an intro, or a quote you're checking against a limit, highlight that text first and open Word count the usual way.

What you want	What Google's help says
Whole document count	Tools, then Word count
Quick shortcut on Windows or Chromebook	Ctrl + Shift + C
Quick shortcut on Mac	Command + Shift + C
Count while typing	Tick Display word count while typing, then OK
Headers, footers and footnotes	Left out unless you select a section

Checking Google Docs word count on an Android phone

Google's mobile instructions for Android are short: open the Google Docs app, open a document, tap More, then tap Word count to see words, characters and characters excluding spaces. I couldn't confirm the iPhone and iPad steps from the page I read, so menus vary there and I'd check inside the app.

Why Google Docs word count may differ from other tools

If you paste your piece into a website form that asks for a limit and the count looks different, the culprit is usually what's included. Google's count skips headers, footers and footnotes by default. A form may count a hyphenated phrase or a line break differently too. Always check the number in the place the limit is enforced, and leave a few words of slack.

Using a Google Docs word count for blogs, bios and applications

• Social bios and about-me boxes: draft in Docs, trim to the limit and paste in.
• Product descriptions: hold each one to the same length so a shop page looks consistent.
• Job applications: stay inside any stated word limit.
• Guest articles and newsletters: agree a target length and track it as you go.
• Meta descriptions and short captions: use the characters count rather than words.

If you're working to a limit on a covering letter, my ChatGPT prompts for cover letters that get read can help you draft a shorter first version, and short sections suit writing an objective statement for a resume. Whatever you use, count the final text yourself.

Setting a target length before you write in Google Docs

The count is most useful when you know your target in advance. Write the limit at the top of the page, keep the Word count box open in the bottom left and watch it as you draft. When you're close, stop adding and start trimming. It's much easier to cut a sentence than to pad one.

If you're editing a long document, a section-by-section count is handy. Highlight a heading and the paragraphs beneath it, open Word count and note the number. Doing this for each section shows you which part has grown too long, and where you could tighten before sending the piece to anyone.

If the Google Docs word count box won't show

1. Check you're using Google Docs. Google says word count works only in Docs.
2. Use Tools, then Word count if the shortcut does nothing.
3. If the box in the bottom left is missing, reopen Word count and tick Display word count while typing.
4. On a phone, tap More inside the document to find Word count.
5. Contact Google through its help centre if the menu item has gone entirely.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check word count on Google Docs?

On a computer, click Tools, then Word count. You'll see words, characters and pages, and you can click Done to close the window.

What is the word count shortcut in Google Docs?

Google lists Ctrl + Shift + C on Windows and Chrome OS and Command + Shift + C on Mac.

Can I see the word count while I type?

Yes. Open Word count, tick Display word count while typing and click OK. A box appears in the bottom left.

Does the count include headers and footnotes?

Google's help says it leaves out headers, footers and footnotes unless you select a section.

How do I check word count on my phone?

In the Android app, open a document, tap More and tap Word count. For iPhone, menus vary, so check inside the app.