Google Docs Word Count | How to Activate It

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google docs word count

If you have landed here there is a very good chance you want to learn how to find word count on Google docs. The good news is that Google Docs allow you to check word count for an entire page or highlighted section.

In this quick guide we will teach you exactly how to do that so stick with us.

What is word count and why it’s important?

Word count is one of the ways in which you can find the length of a document. It is one way for you to know how much you have written or how much someone has written.

Most documents you will write will have a minimum word count to reach. Therefore, knowing how much you’ve written is essential to avoid submitting documents with a low word count. For example, a typical research paper has a word count of 3,000 to 10,000 words, while a blog post may have anywhere from 500 to 1,500 words.

Google Docs, just like Microsoft Word, is a document editor that calculates and shows you your word count.

How to get Google Docs words count on web

A very quick and simple way to find the word count in Google Docs is through the toolbar. Open up Chrome > go to your doc > choose Tools in the menu bar > select Word Count.

Shortcut: For Windows press Ctrl+Shift+C. For Apple use, Command+Shift+C.

The next thing you see it will show you a pop-up with the word count that would include # of Pages, # of Words, # of Characters (with and without spaces). You can also select “Display word count while typing” so the word count is always on.

If you want to see word count for selected text you can just highlight text on the document.

google docs word count

How to get Google Docs words count on Android or iOS

Finding the word count for Google Docs on a mobile device is as easy.

Open the Google Docs app on Android or iOS (iPhone or iPad) and look for the three dot menu button and then tap on Word Count. There you go, simple. and easy

google docs word count

But you may wonder what is included or not included in this word count?

The word count does not include content in headers, footers, and footnotes. Also any symbols of any kind that are added in isolation are not included in the final count so beware of that.

What is the benefit of knowing the Google Docs word count?

It really depends on your situation but there a few cases where it might:

  1. In cases where you need to know how much time it will take, the word count will help you calculate an estimated reading time
  2. Some applications need limited words so this can also help you prepare for applications or submissions
  3. It has a great use in writing where the editor tells you to limit your words or sets a minimum word count requirement

Looking for more tips? Try to check our guides on Google Sheets FormulasGoogle Sheets TemplatesGoogle Sheets Dropdown & Google Sheets Checkbox.

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