A word count is a numerical count of the number of words in a document, file, or text string. Knowing the word count of your document is essential. For example, when you have to write a minimum or a maximum number of words, seeing the word count will help you stay within this set limit.
This guide shows you different ways to check the word count for an entire document or a specific section on Microsoft Word (2019).
What counts as a word in Microsoft Word?
Microsoft Office counts words by looking for any text separated by spaces in the line. This means that:
- Articles (namely, “a”, “an”, “the”) and conjunctions (for example, “and”, “or”, “but”) will count as words.
- Numbers without spaces between them count as words. For example, “9” and “4321” will each count as one word, but “4 3 2 1” will count as four words.
- Compound words (such as “follow-up” or “long-term”) count as one word.
- Image captions and words in a table are included in the word count.
- Words in the header or footer of a Word document such as page numbers, creation dates, copyrights, or references will not be included in the word count.
Checking the status bar
By default, you can find the word count on the status bar in the bottom left of your window. You will find the page counter (showing which page you’re on), followed by the word counter on its right.
If you don’t see the word count in the status bar, right-click anywhere on the status bar, and select Word Count in the menu that shows. The word count should now be visible.
Checking the Word Count dialog box
You can check the word count (and other useful counts for your document) of your document using the Word Count dialog box. Follow these steps:
- Click the Review tab in the Ribbon.
- Select Word Count in the “Proofing” category. The Word Count dialog box appears. Here you can see helpful counts of your documents, including word count, character count, paragraph count, and line count.
- Click Close when you’re done.
Note: You can also click the word count in the status bar to open the Word Count dialog box.
Viewing word count in document statistics
To view word count in document statistics, follow these steps:
- Open the Word file.
- Click on the File tab in the Ribbon.
- Select Info.
- In the area on the right, check the word count under “Properties”.
Checking the word count of a specific section
Checking the status bar
You can check the word count of a specific paragraph or body of text with just one step. Highlight the words you want to check the count for, and the status bar will show the word count for that selection. It will display it as follows:
“Number of words in your selection” of “Total number of words in the entire document.”
Checking the Word Count dialog box
- Highlight the text you want to get the word count of.
- Navigate to the Review tab in the top bar.
- Click on Word Count. You can also display the Word Count dialog box by pressing Ctrl (Command on Mac) + Shift + G.
- Check the number of words displayed next to “Words” in the Word Count dialog box.
Inserting The Word Count in Your Document
When you need to insert the final word count in your document as a requirement, follow these steps:
- Click the position where you want your word count to go. For example, you can select the bottom of your document.
- In the top menu, click on Insert, then navigate to the Quick Parts icon.
- Click on Field.
- Under “Categories” choose Document Information.
- Under “Field names” choose NumWords, then click OK.
- The word count should appear where your cursor is at.
Note: the word count does not update automatically if you continue to work on your document. Right-click on the word count and click Update Field from the drop-down menu to update the word count.