Keeping track of word count on Google Docs is important for your essay and any other writing. Learn how to check the word count on your document.
Google Docs is a free online word-processing software for creating, viewing, and sharing text documents. You can write your report, project proposals, or notes right on your browser.
It offers a wide range of text formatting tools such as strikethrough, hanging indentation, and changing margins. It also offers both light and dark themes on iOS and Android Devices while you can use an extension to change the theme to dark mode when using a computer.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to check the word count on Google Docs on a computer and mobile. You will also learn how to display the word count on the screen while typing and also learn quick keyboard shortcuts to accomplish tasks even more quickly.
How to Check Word Count on Google Docs on a Computer
Follow these steps to check word count on Google Docs:
- Open Google Docs on your Chrome browser
- Click Tools on the ToolBar
- Click on the “word count” button
- Check the “Display word count while typing” check box
- Click OK.
After following the above steps, the word count for your document will be displayed in the bottom left corner.
To check the word count for a specific sentence or paragraph in your document, highlight the text and then head to the toolbar. Then click Tools>”word count.” You will know the number of words for the selected section of your document.
Keyboard Shortcuts To Display Word Count on Google Docs
Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut to check word count on Google Docs. On a Windows keyboard, press the Ctrl+Shift+C keys simultaneously. And on an Apple keyboard, press Command+Shift+C. The word count display box will pop up, and then check the “display word count while typing” box and hit OK.
Additionally, you can check the number of pages, words, characters, and characters without spaces by clicking on the word count box at the bottom left corner.
You can also hide the word count by clicking hide word count.
In the screenshot above, you may notice that I have used the light theme. However, if you prefer a dark-themed interface, you can easily enable the dark mode feature to suit your reading preference.
How to check Word Count in Google Docs iOS or Android Device
To see word count on Google Docs: Open Google Docs on your phone >open document> tap three dots at the top right corner>then tap word count.
If you are an Android user, Follow these simple steps to check the word count of your document:
- Launch the Google Docs app
- Open your document
- Tap on the three dots at the top right corner
- Then tap on “Word Count.“
When you perform this action, you will see the total number of words, characters, and characters excluding spaces on your document. If you are an iPhone user, you can follow the above steps to see the word count for a document. The steps are pretty much the same.
It is good to note that on mobile, both iOS and Android, you will not be able to keep displaying the word count on the screen while typing. The desktop version only supports this feature. Therefore, if you want the word count displayed while typing, you will be forced to use the desktop version.
How Long Does It Take to Read 2,500 Words?
According to many studies, such as Hasbrouck & Tindal’s 2017 Oral Reading Fluency Norms, an adult can read between 220 and 320 words per minute on average. This translates to an average reading time of 10 minutes for 2,500 words of material.
Check Your Document Word Count
I hope this article has helped you check on the word count for your document in Google Docs. By checking your document word count, you can keep track of the number of words for your article, essay, report, or even your book.
Before you go, you can also learn how to strikethrough text on Google Docs.
