If you’ve ever found yourself in the middle of crafting a document in Google Docs and suddenly needed to know how many words you’ve typed, you’re in luck. Knowing your word count can be crucial, especially for assignments, articles, or reports with specific length requirements. To quickly find out your word count in Google Docs, simply go to Tools in the menu, then select Word Count. A pop-up window will appear showing not just the word count, but also the number of pages, characters, and characters excluding spaces.
How to See Word Count in Google Docs
Knowing the total number of words in your document can be essential for various writing tasks. Here’s a simple guide to checking your word count in Google Docs.
Step 1: Open Your Document
Make sure your Google Doc file is open.
When you’re in Google Docs, you need to have your document open to see the word count. If you’re starting fresh, create a new document, or open an existing one by navigating through your Google Drive.
Step 2: Click on ‘Tools’ in the Menu
Look at the top menu bar and find the ‘Tools’ option.
The ‘Tools’ menu is packed with useful features, and one of them is the Word Count feature. Click ‘Tools’ to access a list of different utilities available to you.
Step 3: Select ‘Word Count’
Choose ‘Word Count’ from the dropdown menu that appears.
Once you’ve clicked ‘Tools,’ a dropdown menu will appear. Scroll down to find ‘Word Count.’ Clicking this option will initiate a pop-up window containing all the details you need.
Step 4: View the Word Count Pop-Up
A window will pop up with details about your document’s word count.
The pop-up not only provides the word count but also gives you extra details, like the number of pages, total characters, and characters excluding spaces. This can be particularly useful if you need more detailed information for your writing project.
Step 5: Use Keyboard Shortcut (Optional)
Press Ctrl + Shift + C for a quicker way to see the word count.
If you’re a fan of keyboard shortcuts and want to avoid clicking through menus, you can use Ctrl + Shift + C (or Command + Shift + C on a Mac) to bring up the word count window instantly.
After completing these actions, you’ll have all the information you need about your Google Doc’s word count. This is especially helpful for writers, students, and professionals who need to adhere to specific word count requirements.
Tips for Word Count in Google Docs
- Regular Checks: Make it a habit to check the word count periodically to ensure you’re on track.
- Live Word Count: Enable the live word count option to display the count at the bottom of your screen as you type.
- Selection-Specific Count: Highlight a section of text to see the word count for just that portion, useful for editing specific sections.
- Mobile App: Use the Google Docs app on mobile devices to check word counts via the menu, keeping it convenient even on the go.
- Character Count: Pay attention to character counts if you’re working within specific limits, like social media posts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep the word count visible while typing?
Google Docs has a feature that allows you to keep the word count visible at the bottom of the document as you type. You can enable this by checking the "Display word count while typing" option in the word count popup.
Can I check the word count for a specific section?
Yes, you can! Highlight the portion of the text you’re interested in, then go to Tools > Word Count. The pop-up will show the word count for just that selection.
Does the mobile app have a word count feature?
Absolutely. Open your document in the Google Docs mobile app, tap the three dots in the upper-right corner, and select Word Count from the menu.
Are titles and headings included in the word count?
Yes, Google Docs includes titles, headings, and any text written in the document when calculating the word count.
What does "characters excluding spaces" mean?
"Characters excluding spaces" simply refers to the total number of characters in your document, not counting the spaces between words.
Summary
- Open your document.
- Click on ‘Tools.’
- Select ‘Word Count.’
- View pop-up for details.
- Use keyboard shortcut for quick access.
Conclusion
Knowing how to see word count in Google Docs can save you time and help you stay within content guidelines. For anyone who works with deadlines and word limits, this feature is a lifesaver. Whether you’re writing a blog post, an academic essay, or even a book, being able to quickly check your word count helps you stay on track and meet your goals.
And don’t forget, Google Docs offers more than just word count features. It has an array of tools designed to make writing and editing easier, such as voice typing, grammar suggestions, and collaborative editing features. So if you’re not already using Google Docs as your go-to word processor, today might be a good time to start exploring its capabilities.
Feel free to experiment with the tools and settings to find out what works best for you. Dive into the world of Google Docs, and you’ll find that it’s not just about word counts; it’s about making your writing process smoother and more efficient. Give it a try, and you might find your next favorite writing tool.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech content online for more than ten years. He enjoys writing about Google Docs in addition to many other applications and devices and has cumulatively covered Google’s word-processing application in hundreds of different articles.
He has been published on dozens of popular websites, and his works have accumulated millions of pageviews.
While focused primarily on tutorials and guides for popular electronics like the iPhone and iPad, as well as common applications like Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel, he covers topics across the entire technology spectrum.
You can read his bio here.