diff --git a/lib/gears/table.lua b/lib/gears/table.lua
index 118971c20..6572fdd3a 100644
--- a/lib/gears/table.lua
+++ b/lib/gears/table.lua
@@ -165,6 +165,21 @@ function gtable.keys(t)
     return keys
 end
 
+--- Get the number of keys in a table, both integer and string indicies.
+--
+-- This is functionally equivalent, but faster than `#gears.table.keys(t)`.
+--
+-- @tparam table t The table for which to count the keys.
+-- @treturn number The number of keys in the table.
+-- @staticfct gears.table.count_keys
+function gtable.count_keys(t)
+    local count = 0
+    for _, _ in pairs(t) do
+        count = count + 1
+    end
+    return count
+end
+
 --- Filter a table's keys for certain content type.
 --
 -- @tparam table t The table to retrieve the keys for.
diff --git a/spec/gears/table_spec.lua b/spec/gears/table_spec.lua
index dbe836a88..1c33055d4 100644
--- a/spec/gears/table_spec.lua
+++ b/spec/gears/table_spec.lua
@@ -7,6 +7,34 @@ describe("gears.table", function()
         assert.is.same(gtable.keys(t), { 1, 2, "a" })
     end)
 
+    describe("gears.table.count_keys", function()
+        it("counts keys in an empty table", function()
+            local t = {}
+            assert.is.same(gtable.count_keys(t), 0)
+        end)
+
+        it("counts keys in a sparse array", function()
+            local t = { 1, nil, 3 }
+            assert.is.same(gtable.count_keys(t), 2)
+        end)
+
+        it("counts keys in a regular array", function()
+            local t = { 1, 2, 3 }
+            assert.is.same(gtable.count_keys(t), 3)
+        end)
+
+        it("counts keys in a hash table", function()
+            local t = { a = 1, b = "2", c = true }
+            assert.is.same(gtable.count_keys(t), 3)
+        end)
+
+        it("counts keys in a mixed table", function()
+            local t = { 1, a = 2, nil, 4 }
+            assert.is.same(gtable.count_keys(t), 3)
+        end)
+
+    end)
+
     it("table.keys_filter", function()
         local t = { "a", 1, function() end, false}
         assert.is.same(gtable.keys_filter(t, "number", "function"), { 2, 3 })