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Word count command

In Google Docs, press Ctrl + Shift + C (⌘ + Shift + C on a Mac). In Microsoft Word, the count is always in the status bar. On the command line, wc -w file.txt prints the number of words.

Word counterUpdated 2 min read

Google Docs

| | Windows, ChromeOS | Mac | |---|---|---| | Open the word count | Ctrl + Shift + C | ⌘ + Shift + C | | Menu | Tools > Word count | Tools > Word count |

Tick Display word count while typing in that box to keep a live count in the bottom left. Unless you select text, Google Docs counts everything except headers, footers and footnotes. Word count is only available in Google Docs, not in Sheets or Slides.

Microsoft Word

  • Status bar: the number of words is at the bottom of the window as you type. Select text to see the count for the selection too.
  • Word Count box: click the count in the status bar for characters, paragraphs and lines.
  • Mac menu: Tools > Word Count counts the selected text.
  • Word for the web: Review > Word Count turns the live count on or off.
  • A count inside the document: Insert > Quick Parts > Field > NumWords inserts the number. Right-click it and choose Update Field to refresh it.

Command line: wc

wc (short for word count) comes with Linux and macOS.

wc -w essay.txt      # words
wc -m essay.txt      # characters
wc -l essay.txt      # lines
wc essay.txt         # lines, words and bytes

wc counts a word as any run of characters between spaces, tabs or line breaks. A dash with spaces round it counts as a word, so the total can differ a little from Word's or Google Docs'.

Any other text

Paste it into the counter on this page. You get words, characters with and without spaces, sentences, paragraphs and reading time, and your text stays in your browser.

Word counter

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Sources

Questions

Is there a command for word count?

In Google Docs, press Ctrl + Shift + C (⌘ + Shift + C on a Mac). On the command line, wc -w counts the words in a file.

What does the wc command do?

wc counts the lines, words and bytes in a file. Add -w for words only, -l for lines or -m for characters.

Where is the word count command in Word?

Word shows the count in the status bar. Click it for the full Word Count box. On a Mac you can also choose Tools > Word Count.