How to Check Word Count in Microsoft Word?
Learn how to count words in Microsoft Word, check characters, pages, and selected text, and track document length easily in Word, Mac, and Word Online.
Quick Summary: How to Check Word Count in Microsoft Word
- View word count instantly
Open a Word document and check the bottom-left status bar for the total word count at a glance—or paste into our free word counter for a second check. - View detailed statistics
Review → Word Count shows words, pages, characters (with and without spaces), paragraphs, and lines in one dialog. - Count selected text
Highlight a sentence, paragraph, page, or section to see selected words vs. document total (e.g.250 of 1,500 words). - Add or remove additional text
Use the Word Count dialog to include or exclude textboxes, footnotes, and endnotes when limits apply to body text only. - Track while writing
Keep the status bar visible while you type essays, reports, blog posts, manuscripts, or assignments so you do not exceed allotted limits.
What Is Word Count in Microsoft Word?
Word count in Microsoft Word tells you how many words are in a document—or in a selected section. Word can also display related statistics:
- Pages
- Characters with spaces
- Characters without spaces
- Paragraphs
- Lines
This is essential when you must meet word limits or formatting rules. Word shows counts inside the document without leaving the app. For web pages or plain-text drafts, try our free website word counter or compare formatting with our Word change-case guide.
How to Check Word Count in Microsoft Word Using the Status Bar
The most convenient way to count words is the status bar at the bottom of the window. Many writers keep it visible while drafting and editing.
Steps to Check Word Count from the Status Bar
- Open a document in Microsoft Word.
- Look at the bottom-left corner of the Word window.
- Read the word count shown in the status bar.
For example, if the status bar says 1,250 words, your document contains 1,250 words total.
What to Do If Word Count Is Not Showing
If you do not see the word count on the status bar:
- Right-click anywhere on the status bar at the bottom of Word.
- In the customization menu, click Word Count to enable it.
- The word count should now appear on the status bar.
This is the fastest option when you only need a quick total.
How to Check Detailed Word Count in Microsoft Word
For more than a single number, open the Word Count dialog. It lists words, pages, characters, paragraphs, and lines in one place.
Steps to Open the Word Count Dialog Box
- Open your Word document.
- Select the Review tab on the ribbon.
- Click Word Count in the Proofing group.
- Review the statistics in the Word Count window.
The dialog typically shows:
- Pages
- Words
- Characters (no spaces)
- Characters (with spaces)
- Paragraphs
- Lines
Use this when you need a full snapshot of the entire document before submitting or publishing.
How to Check Word Count for Selected Text
Word also counts only the text you highlight—a paragraph, section, sentence, or page.
Steps to Count Words in Selected Text
- Select the text you want to count.
- Check the status bar at the bottom of the window.
- Word shows selected words and total words, e.g. 250 of 1,500 words (250 in the selection, 1,500 in the full document).
You can also open Review → Word Count with text selected—the dialog shows statistics for the selection only.
How to Include or Exclude Textboxes, Footnotes, and Endnotes
Word can include or exclude text in textboxes, footnotes, and endnotes depending on your settings.
Steps to Check This Setting
- Click the Review tab.
- Select Word Count.
- Check or uncheck Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes.
Be careful with this option for academic papers, legal documents, research reports, or manuscripts where footnotes and endnotes affect whether you meet the limit.
How to Check Word Count in Microsoft Word for Mac
Word for Mac offers the same core features with small menu differences.
Method 1: Use the Status Bar
- Open your document in Word for Mac.
- Look at the bottom of the window for the word count.
- If it is missing, right-click or Control-click the status bar and enable Word Count.
Method 2: Use the Tools Menu
- Open your document.
- Click Tools in the top menu.
- Select Word Count.
- Review the statistics in the Word Count box.
Layout may vary slightly by version, but word count is easy to find on Mac.
How to Check Word Count in Microsoft Word Online
Microsoft Word Online includes word count as well.
Steps to Check Word Count in Word Online
- Open your document in Word Online.
- Click the Review tab.
- Select Word Count.
- View the count for your document.
You may also see a count at the bottom of the browser window depending on layout. The desktop app usually offers more complete statistics and footnote options.
Keyboard Shortcut for Word Count in Microsoft Word
Shortcuts vary by version. On many Windows builds you can use ribbon shortcuts:
- Press Alt to focus the ribbon.
- Press R for the Review tab.
- Press W to open Word Count.
Some versions also support Ctrl + Shift + G. For case shortcuts in Word, see our keyboard shortcut guide.
Why Word Count May Be Different in Microsoft Word
Word's count may not match Google Docs, another online counter, or a CMS. Common reasons:
- One tool includes footnotes or endnotes; another does not.
- Text in textboxes is counted separately or omitted.
- Symbols, numbers, and special characters are handled differently.
- Hyphenated words may be split differently.
- Headers, footers, and comments may be included or excluded.
Before submitting to a school, publisher, client, or platform, confirm their word-count rules. When in doubt, cross-check with our free word counter.
How to Check Word Count While Typing
The status bar updates automatically as you write, so you can monitor progress without reopening the Word Count dialog.
Especially useful for:
- Essays and assignments
- Blog posts and articles
- Reports and proposals
- Cover letters and manuscripts
- Research papers and book chapters
If you work toward a target, keep the status bar visible while writing.
Best Practices for Managing Word Count in Microsoft Word
- Enable word count on the status bar for daily writing.
- Use Review → Word Count for full statistics before submission.
- Count selected sections when editing long documents piece by piece.
- Decide whether footnotes, endnotes, and textboxes count toward your limit.
- Confirm the final total before publishing or submitting.
- If you use more than one tool, understand how each counts words.
These habits help you stay within limits and avoid last-minute formatting surprises.
Interesting Research Facts
Full citations are available in Sources below.
Word count as a productivity measure
Research shows word-count-related writing metrics accounted for a large share of variance in student writing outputs, making word count a common benchmark for tracking progress.
Source: Oral Language and Writing Skills in the First Years of Formal Education
Word count helps reduce wordiness
Academic publishing often enforces strict limits. Regularly checking word count helps writers trim redundant phrases and meet submission requirements.
Source: Strategies on Reducing Wordiness to Enhance Readability in Academic Writing
Accessibility of count tools
Studies note that accessing word count, character count, and page numbers can be harder for screen-reader users, which may affect productivity.
Word count in writing analysis
Computational writing tools use total word count to derive measures such as lexical diversity and text complexity.
Source: Advancing Research in Second Language Writing Through Computational Tools
Structuring documents by target length
Writers use target word counts to balance introductions, body sections, and conclusions—especially in academic work.
Source: How to Approach Academic Writing
Frequently Asked Questions: Word Count in Microsoft Word
How do I check word count for selected text in Microsoft Word?
Highlight the text. The status bar shows something like 250 of 1,500 words. If it does not appear, right-click the status bar and enable Word Count.
How do I exclude footnotes from word count in Word?
Go to Review → Word Count, then uncheck Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes when your limit applies only to main body text.
Why is my Word count different from Google Docs or online word counters?
Tools may count footnotes, textboxes, references, symbols, and citations differently. Always follow your instructor's, publisher's, or client's rules—and verify with our free word counter if needed.
Can Microsoft Word count words up to a specific point in the document?
Word does not show “count up to cursor” by default. Select text from the start of the document to that point and read the selected word count on the status bar.
Does Word count text inside textboxes?
Yes, when Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes is checked in the Word Count dialog.
Why is the word count not showing at the bottom of Word?
Word Count may be disabled on the status bar. Right-click the status bar and select Word Count to show it again.
Can I check character count in Microsoft Word?
Yes. Open Review → Word Count to see characters with and without spaces.
Does Word Online show word count?
Yes. In Word Online, use the Review tab and select Word Count. Some detailed settings (such as footnote inclusion) may be more limited than on desktop.
