Writing Tips
How to Check Word Count in Any Document
Every writing platform hides word count somewhere different. Here is where to find it in each major app — and a faster method that works on any text from anywhere.
Word count in major apps
The fastest method — works everywhere
Rather than navigating menus in every different application, the fastest universal method is: select all your text, copy it, paste it into a browser-based word counter. The count appears immediately — no buttons to click, no menus to find.
This works for text from emails, PDFs (where you can select text), websites, documents, apps, and anywhere else text exists. It also gives you character count, sentence count, and reading time alongside the word count — information that word processors often hide behind extra clicks.
Paste your text — see the count instantly
Words, characters, sentences, and reading time. Updates live as you type. Free.
Check Word Count Now →Frequently asked questions
How do I check word count in Google Docs?
In Google Docs, go to Tools → Word count (or press Ctrl+Shift+C on Windows, Cmd+Shift+C on Mac). A dialog shows total words, characters with and without spaces, and page count. You can also tick 'Display word count while typing' to see it in the bottom-left corner of the document as you write.
How do I check word count in Microsoft Word?
In Microsoft Word, the word count is shown in the status bar at the bottom of the window. If it is not visible, right-click the status bar and enable 'Word Count'. You can also go to Review → Word Count for a full breakdown including pages, paragraphs, and lines. To count a selection only, highlight the text first.
How do I count words in a PDF?
PDFs do not have a native word count feature. The easiest method is to copy the text from the PDF (Ctrl+A then Ctrl+C), paste it into a word counter or a text editor like Notepad, then check the count. For scanned PDFs where the text is an image, you would need OCR software to extract the text first.
Is there a word count tool that works on any text?
Yes — a browser-based word counter works on any text regardless of where it came from. Paste text from an email, a PDF, a website, a document, or anything else, and the counter shows the word count, character count, sentence count, and reading time instantly. No formatting is required and nothing needs to be installed.
How do I count words in an email before sending?
Email clients do not show word count. The quickest method is to select all the text in your email (Ctrl+A), copy it (Ctrl+C), paste it into a word counter, and check the number. This takes about 10 seconds and is the most reliable method across all email platforms.
Does word count include headings and footnotes?
In Microsoft Word and Google Docs, headings are included in the word count by default. Footnotes and endnotes are excluded from the main count but can be included via the detailed word count dialog. When submitting academic work, always check your institution's specific guidelines on what should or should not be counted.