How to Check Word Count on Google Docs (2024)
If you are a writer like me who often ends up staring into the daunting white void of a Google Docs’ canvas, this guide is probably for you. And, if you succumb to the pressure of maintaining a specific word count target as well, this is definitely for you. Thankfully, there’s an integrated word count meter that makes it easier to track. With that being said, here’s how you can check your word count on Google Docs.
Check Total Word Count on Google Docs
You can check the total word count of your document on Google Docs via both your web browser and the dedicated mobile app for Android and iOS. So, I have outlined the steps for both. Also, since the Docs mobile app’s interface is similar on both platforms, I used an Android device to showcase the steps on mobile. With that out of the way, here’s a quick rundown of it all:
On a Web Browser
On the Mobile App
Check Word Count of a Specific Portion
Again, you can check the word count for a specific portion of your Google Docs document on both a web browser and the mobile app. So, here’s how to go about it in both cases:
On a Web Browser
On the Mobile App
Display Word Count While Typing
So, to display the word count of your document while typing, you will need to use the web version of Google Docs. It’s a simple toggle that’s unavailable on the mobile app. To see this toggle, you need to use the toolbar again and get to the word count panel. When in the panel, right underneath all the information being displayed, you will see theDisplay word count while typingcheckbox. Check this and hitOK.
As soon as you’re done doing that, take a look at thebottom left cornerof your Google Docs document. You will now see a live word count panel will be displayed. Adjacent to it, you’ll also see a drop-down button, clicking on which will reveal additional information about the page count, character count, character count excluding spaces, and even the option to hide this word count panel.
Use Add-ons to Show Word Count
While the integrated word count feature of Google Docs is accurate, it has nothing extra going for it. That’s when you may feel the need for more features. You will see a lot of Add-Ons and Chrome extensions that act as a Docs word counter. But, personally, Word Counter Max works the best for me. This add-on goes out of its way to provide you with features that you didn’t even know you needed. With that, let me give you a brief guide on how to get and wrap your head around this add-on:
It was after I installed this tool that I realized I didn’t have to get overly anxious about going over my target word count. I simply had the tool fixed in the right panel of my Docs document and set atarget word countfor my project. Now, as I typed away, the tool showed me how much of the target word count I’m done with.
In addition, you can also make a whole lot of other exclusions from your document. This came in very handy for me as I could exclude the sub-headings and table of contents in my document from being displayed in the word count meter.
In the same way, you can make it exclude paragraphs that start with a specific word, and so on. If you want to go above and beyond the integrated word count meter in Docs, this is one tool I’d highly recommend.
With that being said, I do hope that this guide helps you find what you are looking for. If you have any additional queries, do let me know in the comments down below! I’ll be more than happy to answer them for you.
Sagnik Das Gupta
Sagnik is a tech aficionado who can never say “no” to dipping his toes into unknown waters of tech or reviewing the latest gadgets. He is also a hardcore gamer, having played everything from Snake Xenzia to Dead Space Remake.
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