Word Count in Google Docs (Ctrl+Shift+C / ⌘⇧C)
Open the word-count box: press Ctrl+Shift+C on Windows or ⌘⇧C (Command+Shift+C) on the Mac. It shows words, characters and pages for the whole document or your selection.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open the word count | ⌘⇧C | Ctrl+Shift+C | |
| Count only a selection | Select text, then ⌘⇧C | Select text, then Ctrl+Shift+C | |
| Show count while typing | ⌘⇧C → tick 'Display word count while typing' | Ctrl+Shift+C → tick 'Display word count while typing' |
Count the whole doc or just a part
Press Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows) or ⌘⇧C (Mac) with nothing selected to count the entire document. Select a paragraph first and the box shows the count for that selection alongside the total.
Live word count
In the word-count box, tick Display word count while typing to keep a small running counter in the bottom-left corner as you write.
FAQ
What is the word-count shortcut in Google Docs?
Press Ctrl+Shift+C on Windows or ⌘⇧C (Command+Shift+C) on the Mac to open the word-count box.
How do I count words in a selection only?
Select the text first, then press Ctrl+Shift+C / ⌘⇧C — the box shows the selection count next to the document total.
Can Google Docs show a live word count?
Yes — open the count box and tick 'Display word count while typing' for a running counter in the corner.