The quickest way to see how many words you've written

Open the Review tab at the top of your Word document, then click Word Count in the upper right area. A small box will pop up showing your total word count, along with character count, paragraph count, and a few other statistics. That's the fastest method if you just need the number once.

If you want to see the word count without opening that box every time, you can add it to the bottom of your screen permanently. This is called the status bar, and it shows information about your document at all times as you type.

Key Takeaways

  • The Review tab contains the Word Count button, which shows your total words in a pop-up window.
  • You can add word count to your status bar (the bottom of the screen) so you see it constantly while typing.
  • Word Count includes or excludes headers, footers, and text boxes depending on what you select in the dialog box.
  • The word count updates automatically as you type if you have it displayed on your status bar.

Adding word count to your status bar so it's always visible

Right-click on the status bar at the very bottom of your Word window. A menu will appear with checkboxes next to different options. Find Word Count in that list and click the checkbox next to it. The word count will now appear on your status bar permanently, updating as you type.

This is useful if you're writing something with a specific word limit — like a resume, a cover letter, or an assignment with a minimum or maximum. You can glance at the bottom of your screen without interrupting your typing to check how many words you've written so far.

What gets counted and what doesn't

By default, Word counts all the words in your main document text. Headers, footers, and text boxes are usually not included in the count. If you want to include those, open the Word Count dialog box (Review tab, then Word Count button) and check the box that says Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes.

Comments that other people have left on your document are not counted as part of your word count. Only the actual text in the document itself counts. If you delete text but don't empty the trash or undo, those words are gone from the count.

Why word count matters for different types of writing

Schools, employers, and publications often set word count requirements. An essay might need to be between 500 and 1000 words. A job process might have a 250-word limit for your cover letter. Knowing your exact count helps you meet those requirements without guessing.

Word count also affects how long something takes to read. A 300-word article takes roughly 1 to 2 minutes to read at average speed. A 2000-word article takes 7 to 10 minutes. If you're writing for a specific audience or platform, word count helps you match the right length to the right purpose.

Checking word count in different versions of Word

The Review tab and Word Count button work the same way in Word 2019, Word 2021, and Microsoft 365 (the subscription version). If you're using an older version like Word 2010 or Word 2007, the button is in the same place but the interface looks slightly different. The process is identical: Review tab, then Word Count.

If you're using Word Online (the free version you access through your web browser), the word count button is also on the Review tab. The pop-up box looks the same and shows the same information. The status bar method does not work in Word Online, so you'll need to use the Review tab button each time.

Excluding specific text from your word count

Word does not have a built-in way to exclude a single sentence or paragraph from the count while keeping it in your document. If you need to exclude something, you have two options: delete it temporarily while you check the count, or move it to a comment or text box and then check the Word Count dialog to see the difference.

Some writers use a separate document for notes and references, keeping only the main text in the document they're counting. This makes it easier to track the actual word count of the piece without having to manually exclude sections each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Word count hyphenated words as one word or two?

Hyphenated words count as one word. "Mother-in-law" is one word, not three. Numbers written as words also count as single words — "twenty-five" is one word, not two.

Can I set a word count goal and have Word warn me when I reach it?

Word does not have a built-in goal feature that stops you or warns you at a specific number. You'll need to check the count yourself using the Review tab or your status bar. Some writers set a phone alarm or use a separate timer to remind themselves to check.

Why does my word count keep changing when I don't add or delete anything?

This usually happens when you edit tracked changes or when Word recalculates after you paste content. If you have Track Changes turned on, accepting or rejecting changes updates the count. Save your document and reopen it if the number seems wrong.

Does Word count words in images or charts?

No. Word counts only text. Images, charts, tables, and other visual elements do not add to your word count, even if they contain text inside them.