Where to find the character count in Word

Open the Review tab at the top of your Word window. On the right side of the ribbon, you will see a button labeled Word Count. Click it, and a small box will appear showing your total word count, character count (with and without spaces), paragraph count, and line count.

The character count appears in two versions: one that includes spaces and one that does not. Most writing projects count characters with spaces included, but some publications or platforms specify which version they need. The box stays open while you work, so you can watch the count change as you type.

If you are using Word on a Mac, the Review tab is in the same location. The Word Count button works identically.

Key Takeaways

  • Character count in Word is found by clicking the Word Count button on the Review tab, which shows both characters with and without spaces.
  • Word displays character count in a floating box that updates in real time as you type or edit.
  • You can also see character count by going to File > Properties > Statistics, though this requires more clicks.
  • Character count and word count are different measurements — a five-word sentence may contain 25 characters including spaces.
  • Some platforms and publications specify whether they want characters with or without spaces, so check before you submit.

Why character count matters differently than word count

Word count and character count measure different things. A 500-word essay might contain 3,000 characters with spaces or 2,500 without them. If a platform asks for a 1,000-character post, you cannot straightforward divide by five and write 200 words — the actual word count will depend on your sentence structure and word length.

Social media platforms, job process systems, and some academic submissions specify character limits rather than word limits. Twitter, for example, allows 280 characters per post. LinkedIn character limits vary by field (headlines allow 120 characters, while posts allow much more). Knowing how to check your character count prevents you from writing something too long and having to cut it down at the last moment.

Using the Word Count box while you write

Once you open the Word Count box from the Review tab, you can leave it open on your screen while you write. The numbers update automatically as you type, delete, or edit. This is useful if you are working toward a specific character or word target and want to watch your progress without opening the box repeatedly.

You can move the Word Count box anywhere on your screen by dragging its title bar. Position it where it does not cover the text you are working on. When you are finished, close it by clicking the X button in the corner.

The difference between characters with and without spaces

The Word Count box shows two character totals. The first number includes every space between words and punctuation marks. The second number counts only the letters, numbers, and symbols — no spaces.

Most character limits you will encounter (social media, online forms, email subject lines) count spaces as characters. If a form says "500 characters maximum," it means 500 characters including spaces. However, some technical writing or coding contexts count characters without spaces. Always check the specific requirement before you rely on one number or the other.

Checking character count in older versions of Word

If you are using Word 2010 or earlier, the Word Count button is still on the Review tab, but the interface looks slightly different. Click Review, then Word Count, and the same information box appears. The process is identical even though the ribbon design has changed in newer versions.

If you cannot find the Review tab, you may be using a very old version of Word or a different Microsoft Office process. In that case, go to Tools menu at the top, then select Word Count. This older menu path still works in some versions.

Alternative: checking character count through File Properties

You can also find character count by going to File > Info > Properties > Advanced Properties. Click the Statistics tab. This method shows the same character count information but requires more steps than the Review tab button.

This route is useful if you want to see statistics for a document you are about to close or if you prefer not to keep the Word Count box open while you work. The Statistics tab also shows you the date the document was created and last modified, which the floating Word Count box does not display.

What Word Count does not measure

The Word Count tool counts only the text in your document body. It does not count text in headers, footers, text boxes, or comments unless you specifically include them. If your document has a header with your name and date, that text is not included in the character count unless you open Word Count settings and check the box to include headers and footers.

To include headers and footers in your count, open the Word Count box, then click Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes at the bottom. This expands the count to cover more of your document. Some writing projects require this; others do not. Check your assignment or submission guidelines to know which setting you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Word count spaces as characters?

Word shows both versions. The first number in the character count includes spaces; the second does not. Most online forms and social media platforms count spaces as characters, so use the first number unless you are told otherwise.

Can I set a character limit and have Word warn me when I exceed it?

Word does not have a built-in feature that stops you from typing past a character limit or sends a warning. You have to monitor the Word Count box yourself. Some third-party add-ons exist for Word that do this, but they are not part of the standard process.

Why is my character count different on different devices?

If you open the same document on a phone, tablet, and computer, the character count should be identical. If it differs, you may have unsaved changes on one device, or the document may have synced differently. Save your document and close it completely, then reopen it to may support all devices show the same count.

Does Word Count include punctuation?

Yes. Periods, commas, quotation marks, and all other punctuation marks count as individual characters. A sentence with 10 words and 5 punctuation marks will show a higher character count than the same 10 words without punctuation.

Can I count characters in just one paragraph or section?

Yes. Highlight the text you want to count, then open the Word Count box. It will show statistics for only the selected text, not the entire document. This is useful if you are working on a multi-section document and need to know the length of one part.