Quick answer: Microsoft Word displays a running word count in the status bar of many desktop versions. Click that count or open Review → Word Count to see pages, words, characters, paragraphs and lines. To count a particular passage, select it first. Available details and shortcuts vary between Windows, Mac and Word for the web.
This guide explains how to count the whole document or a selected passage, see characters with and without spaces, and troubleshoot differences between Windows, Mac, and Word for the web. For keyboard options, jump to the shortcut section.
Word count for the entire document
Microsoft Word displays word count for the entire document at the bottom left corner by default of the Word as shown below.
If you don’t see word count at the bottom, you can enable it using the following steps:
- Right click the bottom status bar.
- Select “Word Count” from different options.
Get number of characters, word (with and without spaces), line, paragraph and page
To get detail statistics on the number of words, click on the word count in the status bar at the bottom.
This opens up a window showing the following details.
Keyboard shortcut
In supported desktop Word for Windows editions, Ctrl + Shift + G commonly opens the Word Count dialog. Otherwise use Review > Word Count or click the word count on the status bar. On Mac, the Tools > Word Count menu or status-bar count is a more dependable documented route.
Windows: Control + Shift + G
Word for Mac: use the word count in the status bar, or choose Tools > Word Count to open document statistics. Shortcut availability can vary by version; the old Command + Shift + G instruction should not be relied on without checking your Word edition.
Count number of words for the selected text
- Select the text for which you need to count word.
- The bottom left corner of the Word will show the number of words in selection and the total number of words (as shown below).
As per the following image, the number of words in the selection is 46 out of the total 239 words in the document.
Count Words in Selected Text
Select a sentence, paragraph or other passage. The status bar can show the selected word count alongside the document total. Open Review → Word Count to see more detailed statistics for the selection where supported.
Characters With and Without Spaces
The Word Count dialog reports characters (with spaces) and characters (without spaces) in supported desktop Word editions, as well as paragraphs, lines and pages. These are distinct measures: a document that meets a word limit may still exceed an application’s character limit. Counts may differ between applications for punctuation, hyphenated terms and Unicode symbols.
Troubleshooting a Missing Word Count
If the status-bar word count is hidden in desktop Word for Windows, right-click the status bar and enable Word Count where available. If you see only a selection count, clear the selection. Some editions offer an Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes option; review it if you have a formal word limit. Do not assume tables, captions, headers, comments and revisions are always counted the same way across editors.
Quick steps: Count total words or selected text
- Whole document: check the status-bar word count or open Review > Word Count.
- One paragraph or passage: select the required text and check the selection count in the status bar.
- Character limit: click the status-bar count to open the dialog, then read Characters (with spaces) or Characters (no spaces).
- Word for Mac: choose Tools > Word Count, or click the Word Count indicator if visible.
- Word for the web: in editing mode, use Review > Word Count and its available display options.
Word count versus character count: What is the difference?
| Statistic | Meaning | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Words | Words recognized by Word’s count rules | Assignments and publication word limits |
| Characters without spaces | Text characters without spacing characters in Word’s count | Character-limited text fields |
| Characters with spaces | Text characters including spaces according to Word’s count | Application and abstract limits |
| Paragraphs | Paragraph units | Document structure and proofreading |
| Lines and pages | Layout-dependent text lines and pages | Document length and formatting |
Word, Google Docs and form websites may count words and characters differently. Hyphens, apostrophes, emoji and nonbreaking spaces can produce differences. When you must meet a strict limit, confirm the final number in the submission system, not only in Word.
How does Word count text in tables, footnotes and text boxes?
The main document text is generally included in a normal count. Inclusion of text in footnotes, endnotes, text boxes and other objects can vary with Word’s options and the type of object. Look for an Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes option in your Word Count dialog if available. Academic journals and universities may have their own inclusion policies for titles, tables, captions and references.
Word for the web and Word for Mac differences
Microsoft’s Show word count support article describes how to open Word Count on Windows, Mac and in the web editor. For Mac, Tools > Word Count is an available menu route. For Word for the web, use editing view and choose Review > Word Count; fewer statistics may appear than in installed Word.
How to fix an unexpected word total
- Selected passage: ensure the exact text you mean to count is highlighted; selecting extra lines or objects changes the count.
- Hidden word count: in desktop Word for Windows, right-click the status bar and enable the Word Count item.
- Footnotes or text boxes: inspect the Word Count dialog’s optional inclusion setting, when present.
- Unexpected difference between apps: compare the actual selected text and remember that word-boundary rules are not identical everywhere.
- Count seems unchanged: click outside the selection or reopen the Word Count dialog after editing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I count just a paragraph? Yes, select that paragraph first. Does double spacing increase word count? No; it generally changes layout, not the words typed. How do I count characters without spaces? Open the detailed Word Count dialog in a supported desktop edition. Does Word count page numbers? Word’s handling of headers, footers and fields can vary; check the official inclusion rules for your assignment.
Conclusion
Use Word’s status bar for a quick total, selection to measure one passage, and the Word Count dialog for detailed characters, lines and paragraphs. Check the relevant inclusion settings and do not rely on an unverified shortcut on a different operating system.
Related guides: How to Check Word Count in Google Docs (Live Count and Shortcut) · Convert Numbers to Words in Word Using a Field Code
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