How Do I Get Word Count on Pages? A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re working on a document in Google Docs and need to keep track of your word count, you’re in the right place. Whether you're drafting a research paper, writing a novel, or simply managing a project, knowing how many words you’ve written can be crucial. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to easily check the word count on Google Docs, ensuring you stay on target with your writing goals.

Steps to Check Word Count on Google Docs

1. Open Your Document

First, ensure you have your Google Docs document open. If you haven’t started yet, create a new document or open an existing one by logging into your Google account and navigating to Google Docs.

2. Navigate to the Tools Menu

Once your document is open, locate the top menu bar. Click on "Tools" . This menu contains various options to enhance your document’s functionality.

3. Select ‘Word Count’

In the dropdown menu under "Tools" , find and click on "Word count" . This action will open a small pop-up window displaying the number of words, characters, and pages in your document.

4. Review Word Count Information

In the pop-up window, you'll see a detailed breakdown:

1. Word count : Total number of words in the document.
2. Character count (with and without spaces) : Useful for character-limited writing.
3. Page count : Number of pages in your document.

Take note of these figures to gauge your progress or ensure your document meets any required length.

5. Use the Word Count Shortcut (Optional)

For quicker access, you can use the keyboard shortcut. Press Ctrl + Shift + C on Windows or Cmd + Shift + C on Mac to open the word count window instantly. This shortcut saves time and lets you check your word count without navigating through the menu.

6. Set Up Automatic Word Count (Optional)

If you prefer to have the word count displayed continuously while you write, you can enable the word count feature to show on the screen. Go back to "Tools" and check the box for "Show word count" . This will display the word count in the lower-left corner of your document as you type.

FAQ

Q: Can I see the word count for a specific section of my document?

A: Yes, you can. Highlight the text you want to count, then follow the same steps to access the word count. The pop-up will display the count for only the selected portion.

Q: How can I track the word count for different sections of my document?

A: For more detailed tracking, you might need to manually highlight different sections or use document organization tools, like headings or comments, to keep track of different parts.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of words I can have in a Google Docs document?

A: Google Docs can handle documents up to 1.02 million characters, which is equivalent to hundreds of thousands of words. If you’re approaching this limit, you might need to split your document.

Q: How can I export or print my document with the word count included?

A: When exporting or printing, the word count is not automatically included in the printed document. However, you can manually add it by noting the count from the word count window or copying it into the document before printing.

Q: Can I track word count in Google Docs on mobile devices?

A: The word count feature is available on Google Docs mobile apps. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, select "Word count," and you’ll see the word count details.