How to see word count in Microsoft Word
Look at the status bar at the bottom left of your Word window. It shows the number of words in your document. Click it to open a box with pages, words, characters and lines.
Shortcut for the word count box
On Windows press Ctrl + Shift + G. On Mac press Cmd + Shift + G. You can also go to Review → Word Count.
Count only selected text
Highlight a paragraph and the status bar changes to show words in the selection, for example "50 of 1,200 words". This is handy for checking an abstract or a single section.
Include or exclude footnotes and text boxes
In the Word Count dialog, tick Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes to match a strict word limit, or untick it to count the main body only.
Word count not showing?
Right-click the status bar and make sure Word Count is ticked. If you are in Word for the web, open Review and choose Word Count.
Why use an online counter?
A browser counter works for text from any source, such as emails, web pages and chats, and adds reading time and sentences. Your text stays on your device.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut for word count in Word?
Ctrl + Shift + G on Windows, Cmd + Shift + G on Mac.
Why is my word count different between tools?
Tools treat hyphens, numbers and footnotes differently.
Does this counter store my text?
No. Counting happens in your browser only.