How to check word count in Google Docs

You can easily check your word count in Google Docs – both on desktop and mobile. It’s up to you whether you check your word count in between or have it displayed in the bottom left corner as you write.

Google Docs on desktop: How to count words and characters

Time needed: 2 minutes.

If you are writing on a term paper, an article, or a work report, counting words and characters is sometimes essential. That´s where the automatic word count in Google Docs is a great time saver.

Open Google Docs and go to “Tools”
First open your document in Google Docs and got to “Tools” in the main menu.
Select “Count words”
Select the option “Count words” from the menu. Google will then present you with an overview of your document. The overview includes the number of pages, the written words and the number of characters.
Google Docs presents the characters in two ways.
Google Docs presents the characters of the document in two ways. On the one hand, Google shows all characters, including spaces. On the other hand, the word processer presents only written characters without spaces.

Find word count in Google Docs — By clicking on “Tools” in Google Docs you will be able to find the option for word count (c) Screenshot Isabell Gaede

Show word count while typing

If it is important for you that your document does not fall below or exceed a certain word count, Google Docs also offers the option to show the word count while you are writing.

Word count overview — Enable the option “Display word count while typing (c) Isabell Gaede

In order to have the number of words constantly in view, simply activate the function “Show word count while typing” under the composition “Count words”. Don’t forget to confirm the activation of the “Word Count” by clicking the “OK” button.