I recorded a quick tutorial to show exactly how to check the word count in Google Docs — both for entire documents and specific sections. Here’s the video:
Whether you’re writing an article, essay, or report, word count is often a critical requirement. Google Docs makes it easy to check with just a couple of clicks.
In the video, I show two main methods:
- Go to Tools > Word count
- Or use the shortcut: Cmd + Shift + C (Mac) or Ctrl + Shift + C (Windows)
This opens a small popup showing the total words, characters (with and without spaces), and pages. If you have text selected, it will show word count for just that portion — great if you’re editing a specific section.
You can also check the box that says “Display word count while typing.” This adds a live word counter in the bottom left of your screen.
I use this all the time when working on client content or blog posts with specific length goals (like these 500-word articles!). It’s also useful when outlining chapters or meeting submission requirements.
Do you prefer a live word count, or check it occasionally while writing?