Where to find word count in the most common editors

Word count is usually one click or keystroke away in any document editor. The location depends on which program you use, but the feature exists in every major editor — Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages, and LibreOffice all have it built in. You do not need to count manually or use an outside tool.

The fastest way is a keyboard shortcut. In Microsoft Word on Windows or Mac, press Ctrl+Shift+G (Windows) or Fn+Shift+Command+W (Mac). In Google Docs, go to Tools in the menu bar, then click Word count. Apple Pages shows word count in the toolbar at the top by default — look for a number next to a document icon. LibreOffice Writer uses Tools > Word Count.

If you cannot find the menu, search your editor's help for "word count" and the program name. Every editor documents this feature because it is standard.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft Word opens word count with Ctrl+Shift+G on Windows or Fn+Shift+Command+W on Mac, and shows character count, page count, and paragraph count at the same time.
  • Google Docs word count is under Tools in the menu bar and updates live as you type if you leave the window open.
  • Apple Pages displays word count in the toolbar by default, and you can click it to see a breakdown by section.
  • LibreOffice Writer word count is under Tools in the menu bar, the same location as most other features.
  • Online editors like Hemingway Editor and Grammarly show word count automatically without opening a separate window.

What word count actually measures

Word count counts words, not characters or pages. A word is any sequence of letters, numbers, or symbols separated by a space. Contractions like "do not" count as one word. Hyphenated words like "mother-in-law" usually count as one word, though some editors count them as two — check your editor's settings if the number seems off.

Numbers and abbreviations count as words too. The date "2024" is one word. An acronym like "FBI" is one word. Punctuation marks alone do not count as words.

Most editors also show you character count (letters and spaces combined) and page count at the same time. If you need only one of these numbers, look for a settings option in the word count window to hide the others.

Using word count when you have a target length

If you are writing to a specific length — a 500-word essay, a 1,500-word article, a 250-word summary — check your word count often instead of waiting until the end. Open the word count window and leave it visible while you write, or check it every few paragraphs.

In Google Docs, the word count window stays open and updates in real time as you type, so you can watch the number climb. In Microsoft Word, you can pin the word count to the status bar at the bottom of the screen so it is always visible without opening the full window. Right-click the status bar and select Word Count from the menu.

If you are running short, add detail or examples. If you are running long, cut the weakest sentences or combine ideas. Knowing where you stand halfway through is much easier than rewriting at the end.

Word count for different document types

Different kinds of writing have different length expectations. A blog post is usually 800 to 2,000 words. A news article is often 500 to 1,200 words. An academic essay might be 2,000 to 5,000 words depending on the assignment. A resume is typically one page, which is roughly 250 to 400 words.

If you are writing for a publication, a school, or a client, they will tell you the target word count. If they do not, ask before you start. It is much faster to aim for the right length from the beginning than to cut or expand after you finish.

Some editors let you set a word count goal and track your progress. Hemingway Editor and some writing apps show a progress bar as you approach your target. This can help you stay on track without checking the count manually every few minutes.

When word count does not match between editors

If you copy text from one editor to another, the word count might change slightly. This happens because different editors count hyphenated words, numbers, and special characters differently. A difference of one or two words is normal and not a problem.

If the difference is larger, check whether you copied formatting along with the text. Pasting as plain text (without formatting) sometimes changes how the editor counts. In Microsoft Word, use Paste Special > Unformatted Text. In Google Docs, use Paste without formatting from the Edit menu.

If you are submitting work to a school or publication, use the same editor they specify. If they say "submit in Microsoft Word," open your document in Word and use Word's word count, not Google Docs' count. The small differences between editors can matter when you have a strict limit.

Word count for sections and selections

You do not have to count the whole document. Most editors let you select a portion of text and see the word count for just that section. Highlight the text you want to measure, then open word count. The window will show the count for your selection instead of the full document.

This is useful if you are writing a document with multiple sections and each section has its own length requirement. You can check each section separately without having to do math. It is also helpful if you want to know how long a single paragraph or quote is.

In Microsoft Word, the word count window shows both the total document count and the count for your current selection at the same time. In Google Docs, select the text first, then open word count — it will show only the selection. In Apple Pages, select the text and the toolbar count updates to show only that section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does word count include the title and headings?

Yes, word count includes everything in the document by default — title, headings, body text, and footnotes. If you need to exclude the title or headings, select only the body text and check the count for that selection instead. Some editors have an option to exclude certain elements, but most do not.

What counts as a word in contractions and hyphenated words?

Contractions like "do not" or "cannot" count as one word. Hyphenated words like "mother-in-law" usually count as one word, though some editors count them as two. Check your editor's documentation if you need to know the exact rule, or test by typing a hyphenated word and checking the count.

Can I see word count while I am typing without opening a separate window?

Yes. In Microsoft Word, right-click the status bar at the bottom and select Word Count to keep it visible at all times. In Google Docs, open the word count window and it will stay open and update live as you type. In Apple Pages, word count is already visible in the toolbar. LibreOffice does not have a persistent display, but you can open word count quickly with the keyboard shortcut.

Why does my word count change when I paste text from another document?

Different editors count words slightly differently, especially with hyphenated words, numbers, and special characters. Pasting with formatting can also affect the count. If the difference is one or two words, it is normal. If it is larger, try pasting as plain text to see if that changes the count.

Does word count include spaces and punctuation?

Word count counts words only, not spaces or punctuation. Character count includes spaces and punctuation. If you need to know how many characters your document has (including spaces), look at the character count in the same window where you find word count.