Word Counter: Free Word Count, Reading Time & Density Analyzer
Calculate exact word counts, keyword frequencies, sentence structures, and estimated reading time. Learn shortcuts for counting words across Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Apple Pages.
Word & Page Analysis
How to Check Word Count in Word, Google Docs, and Pages
Look at the bottom-left status bar, or press Ctrl+Shift+G (Cmd+Shift+G on Mac).
Go to Tools > Word count or press Ctrl+Shift+C (Cmd+Shift+C on Mac). Check "Display word count while typing" for a live badge.
Choose View > Show Word Count from the menu bar. An interactive pill badge appears at the bottom of the window displaying words and characters.
How to Use Word Counter
- Type, paste, or drop your manuscript, essay, or blog post into the text editor.
- Instantly review total word count, reading time, and estimated page counts for single and double spacing.
- Inspect your keyword frequency breakdown to avoid overusing particular vocabulary.
- Check the desktop word count shortcuts guide below for Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Apple Pages.
Practical Examples
Essay Paragraph Pacing
A 500-word essay translates to 2 double-spaced pages and roughly 4-5 well-structured paragraphs.
A 500 word paper with 4 paragraphs...
Words: 500 | Pages: 2.0 double-spaced | Reading time: 2.2 min
Common Mistakes & Troubleshooting
- Over-relying on hyphenated words: some word processors count "well-known" as one word while others count it as two. FormatFlow standardizes hyphenated terms according to Unicode segmenter specifications.
- Forgetting bibliography or footnote requirements: check with your instructor whether footnotes and citation bibliographies are included in your strict word count limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words per page in double-spaced format?
A standard double-spaced page with 1-inch margins and 12-point font (such as Times New Roman or Arial) holds approximately 250 words.
What is the keyboard shortcut for word count in Google Docs?
Press Ctrl + Shift + C on Windows/ChromeOS or Command + Shift + C on macOS to view the live word count popup in Google Docs.
How do you check word count in Microsoft Word?
In Microsoft Word, word count is displayed in the lower-left status bar. You can also press Ctrl + Shift + G (or Cmd + Shift + G on Mac) to open the detailed Word Count dialog.
How do you count words in Apple Pages?
In Apple Pages on macOS, click View > Show Word Count from the top menu, or hover over the counter at the bottom of the window to toggle between words, characters, and pages.