Word count matters. Publishers set limits. Editors expect precision. You need to track your words across various platforms and projects.
This guide shows you how to check word count in popular writing tools and helps you understand why it matters for your work.
Why Word Count Matters
Different writing projects demand specific word counts. Blog posts perform best between 1,500 and 2,500 words. Academic papers require exact lengths. Social media posts need brevity.
Publishers reject submissions when you exceed their limits. Search engines favor content within optimal ranges. Your readers expect appropriate length for each format.
How to Check Word Count in Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word offers the simplest method to track your writing.
Desktop Version:
- Look at the bottom left corner of your screen. You see the word count displayed automatically.
- Click on this number to open detailed statistics. The window shows characters, pages, paragraphs, and lines.
- Select specific text to count only that portion. The status bar updates instantly.
- Access the full statistics through Review menu, then Word Count option.
Word Online:
- Open the Tools menu at the top of your screen.
- Select Word Count from the dropdown list.
- View your total count in the pop-up window.
Word counts everything by default. This includes headers, footers, and text boxes. Uncheck "Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes" to exclude these elements.
How to Check Word Count in Google Docs
Google Docs provides multiple ways to track your words.
Quick Method:
- Press Ctrl+Shift+C on Windows or Command+Shift+C on Mac.
- A small box appears at the bottom left corner.
- The box shows your current word count in real time.
Detailed Method:
- Click Tools in the top menu.
- Select Word Count from the dropdown.
- View pages, words, characters, and characters excluding spaces.
Live Display:
- Open Tools, then Word Count.
- Check the box labeled "Display word count while typing."
- A counter appears at the bottom left and updates as you write.
Highlight specific sections to count only those words. The tool updates to show only your selection.
How to Check Word Count in Apple Pages
Pages users find word count through the toolbar.
- Click View in the top menu bar.
- Select Show Word Count.
- A small box appears at the bottom of your document.
- The counter displays words, characters, and paragraphs.
- Click the arrow next to the count for more details.
Select text to count specific portions. Pages automatically updates the counter to reflect your selection.
How to Check Word Count in Scrivener
Scrivener gives writers detailed statistics for complex projects.
- Look at the footer bar at the bottom of your editor.
- You see word count for your current document.
- Click the word count to toggle between words, characters, and pages.
- Access Project menu, then Project Statistics for comprehensive data.
- View counts for your entire manuscript, individual sections, or selected text.
Set target word counts through Project menu. Scrivener tracks your progress with visual indicators.
How to Check Word Count Online
Online tools help when you work outside traditional software.
WordCounter.net:
- Paste your text into the main box.
- The site counts words automatically as you type or paste.
- View character count, sentence count, and reading time.
- See keyword density for your most used words.
CharacterCountOnline.com:
- Enter your text in the provided field.
- Get instant counts for words, characters, and sentences.
- Check both character counts with and without spaces.
These tools work on any device with internet access. You need no software installation.
How to Check Word Count in WordPress
WordPress displays word count while you create posts.
Block Editor (Gutenberg):
- Look at the top toolbar while editing.
- Click the information icon (looks like a circle with an 'i').
- View your word count, character count, paragraphs, and blocks.
Classic Editor:
- Find the word count at the bottom of your editing screen.
- Click "Details" next to the count for more information.
The counter updates in real time as you add or remove content.
Word Count for Different Writing Projects
Each project type requires different lengths for optimal results.
Blog Posts:
- Short posts: 300 to 600 words for quick tips
- Standard posts: 1,000 to 1,500 words for how-to guides
- Long-form content: 2,000 to 3,000 words for comprehensive guides
- Pillar content: 3,000+ words for ultimate resources
Academic Writing:
- Essay abstracts: 150 to 300 words
- Short essays: 1,000 to 2,000 words
- Research papers: 3,000 to 5,000 words
- Thesis documents: 10,000 to 20,000 words
- Dissertations: 50,000 to 100,000 words
Business Writing:
- Email messages: 50 to 125 words
- Press releases: 400 to 600 words
- White papers: 3,000 to 5,000 very words
- Case studies: 1,500 to 3,000 words
Creative Writing:
- Flash fiction: under 1,000 words
- Short stories: 1,000 to 7,500 words
- Novellas: 20,000 to 50,000 words
- Novels: 70,000 to 120,000 words
Social Media:
- Twitter/X posts: 280 characters maximum
- Facebook posts: 40 to 80 words for best engagement
- LinkedIn articles: 1,000 to 2,000 words
- Instagram captions: 125 to 150 words
Tips for Managing Word Count
You need strategies to hit your target count without compromising quality.
When You Write Too Much:
- Remove redundant phrases and repeat information.
- Cut filler words and unnecessary modifiers.
- Combine short sentences when appropriate.
- Delete tangential examples and stories.
- Focus each paragraph on one main idea.
When You Write Too Little:
- Add specific examples to support your points.
- Include relevant data and statistics.
- Expand on your explanations with more detail.
- Address potential questions readers might have.
- Add subsections to cover related topics.
Setting Word Count Goals:
- Research industry standards for your content type.
- Analyze top-performing content in your niche.
- Consider your audience attention span.
- Break large projects into daily word targets.
- Track your progress with spreadsheets or apps.
Common Word Count Mistakes
Writers make errors when tracking and reporting word counts.
Including Non-Content Elements:
Many writers count headers, footers, and navigation text. Publishers want only body content. Exclude titles, bylines, and metadata from your final count.
Confusing Words with Characters:
Some platforms limit characters, not words. Twitter measures characters. Text messages count characters. Know which metric your platform uses.
Ignoring Publisher Guidelines:
Each publication sets specific requirements. Some count footnotes. Others exclude them. Read submission guidelines twice before sending your work.
Padding Your Content:
Adding meaningless text to reach word counts hurts your writing. Readers spot filler content immediately. Focus on value, not arbitrary numbers.
Advanced Word Count Features
Professional writers use advanced tools for better control.
Target Word Counts:
Set goals in your writing software. Scrivener and Word let you establish targets. The programs track your progress visually. You see how close you are to your goal.
Section-by-Section Counting:
Long documents need section tracking. Count each chapter separately in novels. Track each section in research papers. This helps you balance your content distribution.
Excluding Quoted Material:
Some projects need word counts without quotes. Academic writing often excludes direct quotations. Check your style guide requirements. Manually subtract quoted material when needed.
Tracking Writing Speed:
Monitor how fast you write. Tools like Pacemaker track words per day. You learn your writing patterns. Set realistic deadlines based on your actual speed.
Word Count Tools for Mobile Devices
You need word counting options when writing on phones and tablets.
iOS Apps:
- Pages app shows word count in the toolbar.
- Microsoft Word mobile displays counts at the bottom.
- Google Docs app includes word count under Tools menu.
- Writing apps like Bear and Ulysses show counts automatically.
Android Apps:
- Google Docs provides word count through the three-dot menu.
- Microsoft Word shows counts in the status area.
- JotterPad displays word count at the top of your screen.
- Writer Plus offers detailed statistics for your documents.
Most mobile writing apps update word counts in real time. You track your progress without stopping to check.
Understanding Word Count Variations
Different tools sometimes show different counts for the same text.
Why Counts Differ:
Programs handle hyphenated words differently. Some count "well-known" as one word. Others count it as two words. Contractions cause similar issues.
Numbers and symbols create variations. Some tools count "25" as a word. Others skip numbers entirely.
Headers and titles contribute to differences. Word includes everything by default. Google Docs gives you options to exclude elements.
Which Count to Trust:
Use the tool your publisher or client specifies. Academic submissions need the count from your word processor. Online publications often prefer their CMS count. Ask before submitting your work.
Final Thoughts
Word count checking takes seconds with the right tools. Every major writing platform includes built-in counters. Free online tools work when you need quick checks.
Know your project requirements before you start writing. Track your progress as you work. Hit your target count while maintaining quality.
Your readers care about content value, not word count. Publishers set limits for practical reasons. Find the balance between meeting requirements and delivering excellent writing.