Word count in Google Slides

Count the words on one slide

1. Click into a text box and press Ctrl + A (⌘ + A on a Mac) to select all its text.
2. Copy it with Ctrl + C and paste it into the counter on this page.
3. Do the same for each text box on the slide. The counter keeps adding as you paste.

Titles, body text and speaker notes are separate boxes, so include the ones your limit covers.

Count a whole presentation

Option 1: paste into the counter. Go through the slides, copying each text box in turn and pasting it into the counter on this page. This is quickest for short decks.

Option 2: paste into Google Docs. Paste the text into a new Google Doc, then choose Tools > Word count. Use this if you want to keep the text, edit it or share it.

Option 3: use PowerPoint. If you have PowerPoint on a computer, download the deck with File > Download > Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx), open it, and go to File > Info > Show All Properties. The Words figure covers slides and notes. PowerPoint counts punctuation as words, so its number can run a little high.

Speaker notes

Notes count towards a time limit, not usually towards a slide's word limit. If you're timing a talk, paste the notes into the counter and read the speaking time, which assumes about 150 words a minute.