Guide
How to check word count in Microsoft Word
Four ways to see word count in Word — status bar, ribbon, keyboard shortcut, and on the mobile app. Plus counting a single section.
Status bar (always on)
Word displays a live word count on the status bar at the bottom of the window. If you don't see it, right-click the status bar and tick Word Count. Click the number any time to open the full Word Count dialog.
Ribbon: Review tab
Go to Review → Word Count. The dialog shows pages, words, characters with and without spaces, paragraphs, and lines. Tick Include footnotes and endnotes if you need them counted.
Keyboard shortcuts
- Windows: Ctrl + Shift + G
- Mac: Option + Cmd + W
Mobile (iOS and Android)
In the Word mobile app, tap the Home → ⋯ menu (or the pencil icon, depending on the version) and choose Word Count.
Counting a selection
Highlight any block of text. The status bar updates to Words: X of Y — your selection over the total. Open Review → Word Count for full stats on just the selection.
Beyond Word
For reading time, keyword density, sentence and paragraph counts on text not yet in a document, use our free online word counter — runs in your browser, no signup.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is word count in Microsoft Word?
- On the status bar at the bottom of every Word window. If it's hidden, right-click the status bar and tick 'Word count'. The dialog with full stats lives at Review > Word Count, shortcut Ctrl+Shift+G on Windows.
- How do I count words on Word for Mac?
- Use Tools > Word Count or the shortcut Option+Cmd+W. The status bar at the bottom also shows the live word count.
- Does Word count words in footnotes and headers?
- By default footnotes and endnotes are excluded. Open Review > Word Count and tick 'Include footnotes and endnotes' to add them.
- How do I count words in a single section?
- Highlight the section first, then check the status bar — it shows 'Words: 250 of 4,500' (selection of total) or open Review > Word Count for full stats on just the selection.