5 Easiest Ways to Check Word Count on Microsoft Word

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 Microsoft Word is one of the most widely used word processing tools, and knowing how to check word count is essential for students, writers, professionals, and anyone working with documents. 

Whether you're writing an academic paper, preparing a business report, or drafting a blog post, keeping track of your word count helps you meet specific requirements and stay organized.

In this guide, we'll explore the five easiest ways to check word count in Microsoft Word—all explained in simple, easy-to-follow steps. No matter your skill level, these methods will help you quickly access word count without hassle.

Why Checking Word Count in Microsoft Word Matters

Before diving into the methods, let’s briefly discuss why word count is important:

✅ Academic Assignments: Many schools and universities require essays or reports within specific word limits.

✅ Professional Documents: Business proposals, reports, and legal documents often have strict length guidelines.

✅ SEO & Content Writing: Digital content must meet word count recommendations for better readability and search engine ranking.

✅ Editing & Proofreading: Keeping track of word count helps writers and editors manage document length efficiently.

Now, let’s explore the five easiest ways to check word count in Microsoft Word.

1. Using the Word Count Feature in the Status Bar (Quickest Method)

One of the fastest ways to check word count in Microsoft Word is by looking at the status bar at the bottom of your screen.

How to Use the Status Bar to Check Word Count:

  1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
  2. Look at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  3. You’ll see a live word count displayed (e.g., “Words: 1,234”).
  4. If you select a portion of text, the word count will update to show the count for just that selection.

✅ Why This Method Is Useful:

  • Requires no extra clicks or menu navigation.
  • Automatically update in real-time.
  • Works for entire documents or selected text.

Pro Tip: If you don’t see the word count in the status bar, right-click the status bar and enable the Word Count option.

2. Checking Word Count via the Review Tab (Most Detailed Method)

The Review tab in Microsoft Word provides a detailed breakdown of your document’s word count, including characters, paragraphs, and lines.

Steps to Check Word Count via the Review Tab:

  1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
  2. Click on the Review tab in the ribbon (top menu bar).
  3. Find and click Word Count in the “Proofing” section.
  4. A pop-up box will appear, displaying:
    • Total word count
    • Character count (with and without spaces)
    • Number of paragraphs and lines
  5. Click Close to exit the window.

✅ Why This Method Is Useful:

  • Provides a detailed breakdown of word and character count.
  • Helps if you need to track character limits for social media, meta descriptions, or writing contests.
  • Allows easy comparison of different sections of your document.

Pro Tip: Use this method when working on character-limited content like tweets, meta descriptions, or short-form copywriting.

3. Using a Keyboard Shortcut for Quick Access (Fastest Method)

If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow, Microsoft Word has a simple shortcut to check word count instantly.

Keyboard Shortcut to Check Word Count:

📌 Press Ctrl + Shift + G (Windows) or Command + Shift + G (Mac)

Steps to Use the Shortcut:

  1. Open your Microsoft Word document.
  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + G (Windows) or Command + Shift + G (Mac).
  3. The Word Count window will instantly pop up, displaying word, character, and paragraph count.
  4. Click Close when done.

✅ Why This Method Is Useful:

  • The fastest way to access word count without navigating menus.
  • Perfect for writers and editors who frequently check word count.
  • Works on both Windows and Mac versions of Microsoft Word.

Pro Tip: Combine this shortcut with text selection to check the word count of specific sections instantly.

4. Checking Word Count on Microsoft Word Online (Web Version)

Many users now prefer using Microsoft Word Online instead of the desktop version. The web-based version also provides an easy way to check word count.

How to Check Word Count in Microsoft Word Online:

  1. Open Microsoft Word Online in your web browser.
  2. Click on the Review tab in the top menu.
  3. Select Word Count from the dropdown menu.
  4. A small pop-up will show the total word and character count.

✅ Why This Method Is Useful:

  • No need to install Microsoft Word; works in any browser.
  • Ideal for students, remote workers, and Chromebook users.
  • Syncs with OneDrive, allowing easy document access across devices.

Pro Tip: If using Microsoft Word Online for blogging or SEO writing, pair it with tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor for real-time readability and grammar checks.

5. Using Microsoft Word’s Read Aloud Feature for Word Count Estimation

This method isn’t an exact word count tool, but it helps estimate word count based on reading time.

How to Use the Read Aloud Feature:

  1. Open your Microsoft Word document.
  2. Click on the Review tab.
  3. Select Read Aloud from the Speech section.
  4. Word will read your document aloud at a natural pace.
  5. Use the estimated reading time to gauge the word count.

✅ Why This Method Is Useful:

  • Helps proofread content while estimating length.
  • Ideal for audiobook creators, podcast writers, and public speakers.
  • Provides a different way to assess document flow and structure.

Pro Tip: Use Read Aloud with the Word Count feature to adjust the pacing of your content for better readability.

Final Thoughts

Tracking word count in Microsoft Word is quick and easy once you know the right methods. Whether you prefer the status bar, Review tab, keyboard shortcuts, or the online version, these options ensure you can always stay within your required word limits.

Here’s a quick recap of the 5 easiest ways to check word count in Microsoft Word:

✅ Status Bar Method – Best for real-time tracking.
✅ Review Tab – Ideal for detailed word and character analysis.
✅ Keyboard Shortcut (Ctrl + Shift + G) – The fastest method for quick checks.
✅ Microsoft Word Online – Perfect for web-based users.
✅ Read Aloud Feature – Useful for estimating word count based on reading time.

By mastering these techniques, you can boost productivity, improve writing efficiency, and meet word count requirements effortlessly.

Have any other Microsoft Word tips? Let us know in the comments! 🚀

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