How to Count Blank Cells in Google Sheets
Use COUNTBLANK: =COUNTBLANK(A2:A100) returns how many cells in the range are empty.
=COUNTBLANK(A2:A100)
Counts truly empty cells and also cells holding an empty string "" returned by a formula.
How it works
COUNTBLANK counts the empty cells in a range. It also counts cells that look empty because a formula returned "". To count the cells that do contain something instead, use COUNTA, and subtract from the total if you only want genuinely untouched cells.
Variations
Count cells that are NOT blank
=COUNTA(A2:A100)
COUNTA counts every non-empty cell, including text and numbers.
Count blanks only where another column has data
=COUNTIFS(A2:A100,"<>",B2:B100,"")
Counts rows where A is filled but B is still blank — handy for finding missing entries.
Total cells minus the filled ones
=ROWS(A2:A100)-COUNTA(A2:A100)
Treats formula-made "" as filled, so it counts only cells with nothing in them at all.
Examples
| Scenario | Formula |
|---|---|
| Empty cells in a response column | =COUNTBLANK(A2:A100) |
| Rows missing a value in column B | =COUNTIFS(A2:A100,"<>",B2:B100,"") |
FAQ
Does COUNTBLANK count a formula that returns ""?
Yes. COUNTBLANK treats an empty-string result as blank. To exclude those, use ROWS(range)-COUNTA(range).
How do I count non-blank cells instead?
Use COUNTA(range), which counts every cell that holds text or a number.
Can I count blanks with a condition?
Yes — COUNTIFS lets you pair the blank test with another: =COUNTIFS(A:A,"<>",B:B,"").
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