“No more than 500 words. That’s the limit!”
You’ve written what feels like forever, but is it actually 500 words?
Here’s what usually happens….
You click Tools, then Word count, check the number, close it, and get back to writing.
Five minutes later, you’re doing it again.
It’s annoying, breaks your flow, and honestly, there’s got to be a better way.
Good news—there is.
Google Docs has several ways to track your word count, including one feature that most people completely miss.
It shows your word count in real-time as you type.
Whether you’re trying to hit a school assignment requirement, stay within SEO guidelines, or meet a client’s word limit, knowing how to see your word count on Google Docs matters.
And knowing it without breaking your momentum? That’s even better.
In this blog, we’ll cover exactly how to see the word count on Google Docs using two different ways, and turn on live word count that updates as you type.
We’ll also cover how to find word count on your phone using the mobile app, and use advanced counting tricks for specific sections and professional documents.
Let’s dive in.
Key Takeaways
- Google Docs lets you count full docs or selected text, and display word count while typing.
- Headers, footers, and footnotes are included by default—manually excluded for precise limits.
- Use version history to track word count changes across drafts.
- Use the Word Counter to detect AI-written text. Fix it with the AI Humanizer for natural, detector-safe content.
How to See Word Count in Google Docs (Desktop)
Let’s walk through two simple ways to check your word count on the desktop.
Method 1: The Tools Menu
This is the most straightforward path, and the one most people use when they want to see a word count on Google Docs.
Never Worry About AI Detecting Your Texts Again. Undetectable AI Can Help You:
- Make your AI assisted writing appear human-like.
- Bypass all major AI detection tools with just one click.
- Use AI safely and confidently in school and work.
Here’s what you do:
- Open your Google Doc
- Click on “Tools” in the top menu bar
- Select “Word count” from the dropdown
That’s it. A box will pop up and show you your stats: how many pages, words, characters, and characters excluding spaces are in your doc.
Method 2: The Keyboard Shortcut
If you don’t want to click around, there’s a faster way to see your word count on Google Docs.
- On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + C.
- On Mac, press Command + Shift + C.
The same word count box shows up. No clicks needed.
Once the word count box pops up, here’s what you’ll see….
- Pages – How many pages your content would take up
- Words – Total word count
- Characters – Including spaces
- Characters excluding spaces – Just letters and punctuation
This info is helpful when your writing has to stay within limits—like a 500-word essay or a 1000-character product description.
If nothing happens when you try the shortcut or click “Word count,” here’s what to check:
- Are you using a shared doc with “View only” access? You can’t check word count unless you can edit.
- Try reloading the page—sometimes the shortcut lags.
- Still stuck? Use the mobile app or copy-paste your text into an external word counter.
How to Show Word Count While Typing
Sometimes you just want to keep track of your word count without stopping to check.
Maybe you’re racing a deadline or trying to stay within a word limit. Google Docs has a quiet little feature that helps with that.
Turn On “Display Word Count While Typing”
Here’s how to activate it when you want to see my word count on Google Docs continuously:
- Open your Google Doc.
- Click on Tools in the top menu.
- Select “Word count.”
- In the popup, check the box that says “Display word count while typing.”
- Click OK to save it.
Now, as you type, you’ll see a small box in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
This floating box updates as you go. You’ll see:
- The number of words
- The total number of pages
- The characters
It’s subtle, but it works—especially when you’re writing in chunks and need to stay on track without breaking your flow.
You can also personalize your word count on Google Doc.
If it starts to feel distracting—or you just don’t need it anymore—turning it off is just as simple:
- Go back to Tools → Word count
- Uncheck “Display word count while typing”
- Click OK
It disappears immediately.
Will it slow things down?
Nope. It has minimal to zero impact on how fast your doc loads or how quickly it responds. It’s a lightweight feature. You won’t even notice it—until you need it.
How to See Word Count on Google Docs Mobile App
Whether you’re editing on the go or reviewing something quick on your phone, knowing how to check word count on the mobile app can save you time.
But the steps are slightly different depending on your device.
On Android:
- Open your document in the Google Docs app.
- Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner (menu icon).
- Scroll down and tap “Word count.”
You’ll now see the total words, characters, and characters without spaces.
On iOS:
- Open your document in the app.
- Tap the three dot icon (top right).
- Tap on the “View Options”
- Click on “Show Word Count.”
Make sure your app is updated. The word count feature is available on:
- Android 6.1 and above
- iOS 1.2020 and above
Older versions may not show this option at all.
What’s different from a desktop?
Compared to desktop, the mobile version gives you fewer details:
- No option to show word count while typing on Android.
- No breakdown by section or selection.
- Fewer customization settings.
Still, for basic checks, it gets the job done.
Does the word counter work offline as well?
Yes—as long as the file is available offline. If your doc is synced and opened while online, you can still access the word count later without needing a connection.
If you’re reading this blog, you’re likely a student working on an assignment or a freelance writer.
Either way, you can benefit from the Undetectable Word Counter—a tool that offers more than just a basic word or sentence count.
With this tool, you get:
- Words, characters, sentences, paragraphs, and page counts
- Download and copy options for easy access
- A human-written content check feature
No need to log in to multiple tools. It saves time and keeps everything in one place.
Use this tool for free here.
Advanced Word Count Tips
Here are the advanced word count tips for your ease:
1. What Counts as a Word?
Google Docs treats hyphenated words like “well-being” as one word. Symbols (like “&” or “#”) are generally not counted as words unless surrounded by spaces.
Numbers are counted as words if typed without punctuation.
Pro Tip: Always double-check formatting if you’re working with strict word limits.
2. Count Only What You Need (Selection Counting)
Want to count just a paragraph or a specific section when you need to see a word count on Google Docs for specific text?
- Highlight the text.
- Right-click and choose “Word count”, or use the shortcut (Ctrl+Shift+C on Windows / Cmd+Shift+C on Mac).
The popup will show you the word/character count just for that selection.
3. Exclude Headers, Footers & Footnotes
Google Docs includes footnotes, headers, and footers in the total word count. To exclude them:
- Copy your main body content into a new doc or
- Manually subtract using selection-based count
This matters in academic submissions where footnotes are not part of the word limit.
4. Compare Word Count Over Time
When editing or revising documents:
- Use Version History: File → Version history → See version history
- Compare different drafts and see how the word count evolves.
This is useful for tracking progress or confirming word reductions.
5. Exporting? Watch for Count Differences
When exporting to PDF or Word, formatting changes can slightly shift word or page count.
Always check the exported file if your word limit is strict—especially for print-ready or client-submission documents.
6. Academic & Professional Use Cases
For students and professionals:
- Abstract word limits are usually strict—use selection count.
- In academic writing, citations and references might not be counted, depending on the requirement.
- Grant applications, manuscripts, and editorials often have tight page or character restrictions—precision is key.
If you’re using AI tools like ChatGPT or Jasper, you’re probably already aware of the problem: Great content, but it sounds robotic.
Or worse—it gets flagged by AI detectors.
Here’s the fix:
- Use Word Counter Tool for exact words, characters, sentences, paragraphs, and page counts.
- It also includes a human-written content check so you know if it might trigger AI detection systems.
If flagged, plug your text into the AI Humanizer Tool.
What the AI Humanizer does:
- It rewrites your content to sound genuinely human, not just pass detectors.
- Your tone becomes natural. Your structure flows better.
- And yes—it scores as human across all major AI detectors.
Start exploring—our AI Detector and Humanizer are waiting in the widget below!
Conclusion
Word count doesn’t have to be complicated.
Google Docs gives you everything you need to track your writing progress without breaking your flow.
Whether you’re using the quick keyboard shortcut, turning on live word count while typing, or checking numbers on your phone, you now have the tools to stay on top of your word limits.
Remember the advanced tips when you need precision. Count specific sections when working on academic papers. Exclude headers and footnotes when word limits are strict. Use version history to track your progress across drafts.
So which method will you try first? The live word count feature or the lightning-fast keyboard shortcut?
Your writing workflow just got smoother. Now stop counting and start writing.
And when your writing’s done, use Undetectable AI to make sure it sounds natural, human, and truly your own—perfect for avoiding detection and keeping your voice intact.