Is There an Easy Way to Get a Word Count in Microsoft Word? A Complete Guide 2026

You do not need to install additional software or count words manually. Word can display your word count in the status bar, provide a detailed statistics window, and count only a selected portion of your text.

In this guide, we will explain how to check word counts in Microsoft Word on Windows, Mac, the web, and mobile devices. You will also learn how to count words in a specific paragraph, troubleshoot missing word counts, and use the feature efficiently when working on long documents.

Quick Answer: How Do You Get a Word Count in Microsoft Word?

The easiest way to check your word count is to look at the status bar at the bottom of the Microsoft Word window.

Follow these steps:

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
2. Look at the bottom of the Word window.
3. Find the word count indicator, which may display something like 1,250 words.
4. If you cannot see it, right-click the status bar and enable Word Count if that option is available.

You can also open the Review tab and select Word Count to view additional information, such as the number of pages, characters, paragraphs, and lines.

Key takeaway: The status bar is the fastest option for a quick word count, while the Word Count dialog box provides more detailed statistics.

What Is the Word Count Feature in Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word’s word-count feature measures the number of words in your document or selected text. It is useful when you need to meet a specific writing requirement or monitor the length of a document.

For example, if your assignment requires 1,500 words, you can use the word counter to check whether your document meets that target.

The feature can also provide other useful statistics, including:

• Total pages
• Total words
• Character count, including spaces
• Character count, excluding spaces
• Number of paragraphs
• Number of lines

The exact information available can vary by Word version and platform.

Method 1: Check the Word Count in the Status Bar

This is generally the easiest way to count words in Microsoft Word because you do not need to open another window.

Step 1: Open Your Document

Launch Microsoft Word and open the document you want to check.

You can create a new document or use an existing file.

Step 2: Look at the Bottom of the Window

Once the document opens, look at the status bar along the bottom of the Word window.

You may see a word count such as:

Words: 1,250

The number represents the word count Word is currently reporting for the document or relevant selection.

Step 3: Check the Number While Writing

In supported desktop versions of Word, the displayed count usually updates as you type or edit your document.

This makes it easy to monitor your progress without repeatedly opening the Word Count dialog box.

For example, if you are writing a 2,000-word article, you can glance at the status bar to see how close you are to your target.

What If the Word Count Is Missing?

If the status bar does not show the word count, you may need to enable it.

1. Right-click the status bar at the bottom of Word.
2. Look for the Word Count option.
3. Select it if it is available.
4. Check the status bar again.

The available status-bar options can differ between versions of Word.

Method 2: Use the Review Tab to Count Words

If you want a more detailed word count, use the Word Count command on the Review tab.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
2. Select the Review tab in the ribbon.
3. Find the Word Count command.
4. Click Word Count.
5. Review the statistics displayed in the dialog box.

You can usually see the number of words, characters, paragraphs, and lines, along with the page count.

This method is particularly useful when preparing reports, essays, manuscripts, and professional documents.

When Should You Use the Word Count Dialog Box?

Use the dialog box when you need more than a quick number.

For example, a writing assignment might require a specific number of words, while a form may limit the number of characters you can enter. The detailed statistics can help you check the appropriate measurement.

Method 3: Count Words in a Specific Paragraph or Section

You do not always need to count every word in a document. Sometimes you only want to measure a particular paragraph, introduction, conclusion, or section.

Microsoft Word allows you to select text and check the word count for that selection.

How to Count Selected Text

1. Open your document.
2. Use your mouse or keyboard to highlight the text you want to count.
3. Look at the word count in the status bar.
4. If necessary, open the Word Count dialog box to see additional statistics for the selected text.

Word generally displays the number of words in the selection alongside the document’s total, depending on the version and interface.

Example: Counting an Introduction

Imagine that you are writing a blog post with a 150-word introduction requirement.

Instead of counting the entire article, highlight only the introduction. Word can then report the number of words in that selection.

This is much faster than copying the introduction into a separate document.

Can You Count Multiple Sections?

Yes. In many desktop versions, you can select multiple portions of text by using the appropriate selection method for your operating system. However, selecting separate sections can be less convenient than selecting one continuous block.

If you need to count several nonadjacent sections, you can also check them individually.

Method 4: Get a Word Count in Microsoft Word on Windows

Microsoft Word for Windows provides several ways to count words.

Using the Status Bar

1. Open Word.
2. Open your document.
3. Look at the bottom of the window.
4. Read the displayed word count.

If the count is missing, right-click the status bar and enable the Word Count indicator if available.

Using the Review Menu

1. Open the document.
2. Select Review.
3. Click Word Count.
4. Read the statistics in the dialog box.

Using a Keyboard Shortcut

Some versions of Microsoft Word for Windows support a keyboard shortcut for opening the Word Count dialog box. However, shortcuts may vary by version, language, keyboard configuration, and installed add-ins.

If you are unsure which shortcut applies to your installation, using Review > Word Count is a reliable alternative.

Method 5: Get a Word Count in Microsoft Word on Mac

Word for Mac also includes a built-in word-count feature.

Check the Status Bar on Mac

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Open the document you want to check.
3. Look at the bottom of the Word window.
4. Read the word count if it is displayed.

If you cannot see the count, check the available status-bar settings or use the Review menu.

Use the Review Menu

1. Open the document.
2. Click Review in the ribbon.
3. Select Word Count.
4. Review the statistics.

You can use the same feature to check a selected portion of text.

Is Word Count Different on Mac and Windows?

The basic purpose is the same on both platforms. However, the ribbon layout, menus, and some interface details may differ.

If a button appears in a different location, look for the Word Count command under the Review tab or consult the search feature within Word.

Method 6: Check Word Count in Word for the Web

Microsoft Word for the web allows you to edit documents in a browser.

The available word-count options may differ from those in the desktop application, depending on the current version and document format.

How to Check Word Count Online

1. Open Word for the web in your browser.
2. Open the document you want to measure.
3. Look for the word count displayed in the interface.
4. If the count is not visible, check the available Review or document tools.

If the web version does not provide the detailed statistics you need, open the document in the desktop version of Microsoft Word.

Does Word for the Web Count Every Element?

Not necessarily. Word’s word-count behavior can vary depending on the type of content and the version you use.

For example, some text contained in text boxes, headers, footers, or other special document elements may be handled differently by the word-count feature.

If your document has complex formatting and you need a precise count, review the document in the desktop application and verify which content is included.

Method 7: Count Words in Microsoft Word on an iPhone or iPad

You can also work with Word documents on an iPhone or iPad using the Microsoft Word mobile app.

The mobile interface is different from the desktop interface, so the word-count command may appear in a different location.

Steps for Mobile Devices

1. Open the Microsoft Word app.
2. Open the document you want to check.
3. Enter editing mode if necessary.
4. Open the available document tools or ribbon menu.
5. Look for Word Count in the Review or related options, if available.
6. Check the reported number.

The exact steps depend on your app version and device.

If you cannot find a word-count option, open the document in Word for the web or the desktop version of Word to access the available statistics.

Word Count Methods Compared

The following table summarizes the main ways to check word count in Microsoft Word.

Method	Best for	Main advantage
Status bar	Quick checks	Shows the count without opening another window
Review > Word Count	Detailed statistics	Provides additional document measurements
Select text	Counting a paragraph or section	Measures only the highlighted text
Word for Windows	Desktop writing	Offers convenient counting tools
Word for Mac	Mac users	Provides built-in word-count controls
Word for the web	Browser-based editing	Lets you work without opening the desktop app
Word mobile app	iPhone and iPad users	Makes checking documents possible on mobile

For most people, the status bar is the best starting point. If you need more detail, use the Word Count dialog box.

What Is the Difference Between Word Count and Character Count?

Word count and character count measure different things.

Word count measures the number of words in the selected text or document.

Character count measures individual characters, such as letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and spaces, depending on the statistic you choose.

Consider this sentence:

“Microsoft Word counts words.”

It contains four words, but it contains more than four characters.

Characters With Spaces Versus Characters Without Spaces

Microsoft Word may display two character statistics:

• Characters with spaces: Includes spaces between words.
• Characters without spaces: Excludes spaces from the character total.

These measurements are useful for different writing requirements.

For example, a submission form may impose a character limit rather than a word limit. In that situation, character count is the more relevant measurement.

Why Is My Word Count Different From Another Tool?

Have you ever checked a document in Word and received a different result from an online word counter? This can happen for several reasons.

Different tools may use different rules to identify words.

Hyphenated Words

Some counting systems may treat a hyphenated expression as one word, while others may handle it differently.

For example, a phrase containing “step-by-step” may not be counted identically by every tool.

Numbers and Symbols

Numbers, abbreviations, punctuation, and special characters can also affect the results, depending on how the software processes them.

Text in Headers, Footers, and Text Boxes

Certain document elements may not be included in the same way across different word-count tools or Word versions.

Hidden or Special Content

Comments, footnotes, endnotes, and other document elements can affect what you see in some counting workflows.

If you are submitting a document with a strict word limit, use the counting method specified by your instructor, publisher, employer, or submission platform.

How to Fix Word Count Problems in Microsoft Word

If Word is not showing the expected number, try these troubleshooting steps.

1. Make Sure You Are Looking at the Correct Document

If you have several documents open, confirm that you are checking the intended file.

2. Check Whether Text Is Selected

When you highlight a paragraph, the status bar may display the selected text’s word count as well as the document total.

Clear the selection if you want to check the whole document.

3. Open the Word Count Dialog Box

Use Review > Word Count to view the available statistics instead of relying only on the status bar.

4. Save and Reopen the Document

If the count appears outdated, save your work and reopen the document. This may resolve a temporary interface issue.

5. Check the Application Version

Update Microsoft Word if an update is available and you are experiencing persistent problems.

6. Check Special Document Elements

If the number still seems incorrect, inspect text boxes, footnotes, headers, and other areas that may be handled differently by your version of Word.

For a complex document, you may need to verify the count of specific sections separately.

How to Use Word Count When Writing Blog Posts and Articles

Word count is especially useful for bloggers, students, writers, and content editors.

If you are preparing an article with a target length, you can use the feature to monitor your progress while drafting and editing.

Set a Target Before You Start

Decide how long your article needs to be.

For example, you might aim for 1,000 words for a short guide or 2,000 words for a comprehensive tutorial. These are planning targets, not universal requirements for every type of content.

Check Your Introduction and Conclusion Separately

A clear introduction helps readers understand the topic, while a conclusion summarizes the main lessons.

Select each section and check its length if you have specific requirements for those parts.

Use Word Count During Editing

Do not focus only on increasing the number of words. A longer article is not automatically a better article.

Instead, use the count to monitor length while removing repetition, clarifying instructions, and adding useful explanations where needed.

Keep a Simple Progress Record

You can track your progress using a small table.

Writing stage	Example target
Introduction	150 words
Main sections	1,400 words
Conclusion	150 words
FAQs and final details	300 words
Total target	2,000 words

These figures are illustrative. Adjust them according to your topic, audience, and publishing requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there an easy way to get a word count in Microsoft Word?

Yes. Look at the status bar at the bottom of the Word window. If the count is not visible, use Review > Word Count or enable the Word Count indicator in the status bar settings if available.

2. Can Microsoft Word count only selected text?

Yes. Highlight the paragraph or section you want to measure. Word can display the number of words in the selection, depending on the version and interface.

3. Does Microsoft Word automatically update the word count?

In supported versions, the status-bar count generally updates as you edit the document. If the number appears incorrect or outdated, open the Word Count dialog box to check the current statistics.

4. Can I check word count in Microsoft Word online?

Yes, Word for the web offers word-count functionality, although its options may differ from the desktop application. If you need additional statistics, open the document in desktop Word.

5. Can I count words in Word on an iPhone?

The Microsoft Word mobile app may provide a word-count option through its document tools or ribbon menus. The location and availability depend on your app version. If you cannot find it, check the document using Word for the web or desktop Word.

Conclusion

There is an easy way to get a word count in Microsoft Word, and you do not need to count anything manually.

For the fastest result, look at the status bar at the bottom of the Word window. If you need more information, open Review > Word Count to view additional statistics. You can also select a particular paragraph or section to check only that text.

Whether you are writing a school assignment, preparing a business report, editing a blog post, or creating a long-form article, these tools can help you manage document length efficiently.

Your next step: Open your Word document and check the status bar. Once you know where the word count appears, monitoring your writing progress becomes a simple part of your everyday workflow.