Where to find the word count tool in Word
Microsoft Word shows your word count in the status bar at the bottom of the window. Look for a number followed by "words" — it updates as you type. If you do not see it, right-click on the status bar and make sure "Word Count" has a checkmark next to it.
You can also open the full word count dialog by going to the Review tab at the top of the window and clicking Word Count. This dialog shows not just words, but also pages, characters, paragraphs, and lines — useful if you are writing to a specific length requirement.
The word count updates automatically in both places. You do not need to save or refresh to see the current number.
Key Takeaways
- The word count appears by default in the status bar at the bottom of your window and updates as you type.
- If the status bar does not show word count, right-click it and enable the Word Count option from the menu.
- The Review tab contains a Word Count button that opens a detailed dialog showing words, characters, pages, paragraphs, and lines.
- Word counts everything in your document by default, including headers, footers, and text boxes, unless you change the settings.
What gets counted and what does not
By default, Word counts all text in your document — the main body, headers, footers, text boxes, and footnotes. It does not count images, charts, or blank space. If you have a header that says "Chapter 1" on every page, Word counts those words on every page, which can inflate your total.
If you need to exclude headers and footers from your count, open the Word Count dialog from the Review tab. Click Options at the bottom of the dialog and uncheck Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes. This removes those elements from the count but does not remove them from your document.
Comments and tracked changes are not counted in the word count, even if they are visible in your document. Only the actual text that will print counts toward the total.
Counting words in a selection instead of the whole document
If you want to know the word count of just one section — a single chapter, a paragraph, or a few sentences — highlight that text first. Then open the Word Count dialog from the Review tab. The dialog will show the count for your selection at the top, labeled Words: [number].
The status bar at the bottom also updates when you have text selected. It shows the count of the selected words in parentheses next to the total document count, so you can see both at once without opening a dialog.
Keeping word count visible while you work
The status bar word count is the easiest way to monitor length as you write because it stays on screen. If your status bar is hidden or the word count option is turned off, you lose that constant reference. To make sure it stays visible, right-click the status bar once and confirm that Word Count has a checkmark.
Some writers prefer to keep the Word Count dialog open in a corner of the screen while drafting. You can do this by opening the dialog from the Review tab and leaving it there — it updates in real time as you type, and you can move it or resize it to stay out of your way.
Word count differences between Word versions
The location and appearance of the word count tool are the same in Word 2019, Word 2021, and Microsoft 365 (the subscription version). All three have the status bar display and the Review tab button. The dialog that opens looks slightly different depending on your version, but the information shown is the same.
If you are using Word Online (the free version in a web browser), the word count appears in the File menu under Info rather than in a status bar. The count still updates automatically, but you have to open the menu to see it instead of glancing at the bottom of the window.
Why your word count might not match other tools
If you copy text from Word into another writing tool — a blog platform, a submission form, or Google Docs — the word count may differ slightly. Different tools count hyphenated words differently (some count "mother-in-law" as one word, others as three). Some count numbers and abbreviations differently. Word's count is what matters if you are submitting to someone who specified a Word document.
If you paste text into Word from another source and the count seems wrong, check whether there are extra spaces or hidden formatting characters. Select all text with Ctrl+A, then go to the Home tab and click the ¶ symbol to show formatting marks. Extra spaces between words or at the end of lines can add to your count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Word count words in headers and footers?
Yes, by default. If you want to exclude them, open the Word Count dialog from the Review tab, click Options, and uncheck the box for textboxes and footnotes. This removes headers and footers from the count.
Can I set a word count goal and have Word warn me when I reach it?
Word does not have a built-in goal or warning feature. You have to monitor the count yourself using the status bar or the Word Count dialog. Some writers set a reminder on their phone or use a separate tracking document to mark their progress.
What counts as a word in Microsoft Word?
Word counts any sequence of characters separated by spaces, punctuation, or line breaks as one word. Numbers count as words. Hyphenated words like "well-known" count as one word. Contractions like "don't" count as one word.
Why does my word count include words I deleted?
If you have Track Changes turned on, deleted text is hidden but still counted. Turn off Track Changes or accept all changes to remove deleted text from the count. Go to the Review tab and click Track Changes to toggle it off.
Can I see word count for just one paragraph?
Yes. Highlight the paragraph, then open the Word Count dialog from the Review tab. It shows the count for your selection. The status bar also displays the selected word count in parentheses when text is highlighted.