Writing workflow

How to Count Words in Microsoft Word (3 Quick Ways)

Check the total word count, count only selected text, or open detailed statistics in Word for Windows, Mac, and the web.

Updated July 10, 2026

Quick answer

Look at the status bar at the bottom of Microsoft Word. It displays the document word count while you type. Select text to count only that section, or click the count to see characters, paragraphs, lines, and pages.

1. Check the status bar

On Word for Windows and macOS, the current word count normally appears in the status bar at the bottom of the window. If Word Count is hidden in desktop Word, right-click the status bar and enable Word Count.

2. Count selected text

Select a paragraph, chapter, abstract, or other section. The status bar shows the selection count alongside the whole-document count. This is the fastest way to check a section with its own word limit.

3. Open detailed statistics

Click the status-bar word count to open detailed statistics for pages, words, characters, paragraphs, and lines. On a Mac, Tools > Word Count is another way to open the same information.

How word count works in Word for the web

Make sure the document is in Editing view, then read the count in the status bar. Word for the web can show an approximate total and may omit words in text boxes, headers, footers, and SmartArt. Open the document in desktop Word when an exact submission count matters.

Microsoft Word count FAQ

How do I count words in part of a Word document?

Select the text you want to measure. Word shows the selected count and the document total in the status bar.

How do I see characters, paragraphs, and lines in Word?

Click the word count in the status bar to open detailed statistics. On Mac, you can also choose Tools > Word Count.

What if Word Count is hidden?

In desktop Word, right-click the status bar and enable Word Count. In Word for the web, make sure the document is in Editing view.

Why can Word for the web show a different count?

Word for the web can show an approximate count and may omit words in text boxes, headers, footers, and SmartArt. Open the document in desktop Word when an exact count matters.

Use an online counter for extra metrics

Paste text into the Word Counter when you also need characters with and without spaces, reading time, speaking time, or repeated terms. Clean copied spacing first with the Text Cleaner.

Source: Microsoft Support: Show word count.