Count words in Google Docs

In Google Docs you’ll find the word count in the menu under “Tools”. Especially handy: you can also keep it permanently visible at the bottom while you write.

Method 1: Via the menu

1. Open your document in Google Docs.
2. Click Tools in the menu bar.
3. Choose Word count (German version: Extras → Wortanzahl).
4. The window shows pages, words, characters (with and without spaces) — for the whole document or, if something is selected, just the selection.
5. Tick “Display word count while typing” if you want the number shown continuously at the bottom left.

Method 2: Keyboard shortcut

On Windows and Linux: Ctrl + Shift + C. On Mac: ⌘ + Shift + C.

No offline count in Google Docs?

Google Docs runs in the browser and needs an internet connection — for the word count too. If you want to work offline or need a word goal with a progress bar, you can check your text right here below.