To check the word count in Microsoft Word, open your document and read the word total on the status bar at the bottom of the window. Click that total for detailed statistics, or select a passage first to count only that text. In Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, you can also press Ctrl + Shift + G to open Word Count.
The desktop steps below cover Word for Microsoft 365 and Word 2024, with narrower availability noted where needed. Browser and mobile versions have their own controls, and the Windows voice access steps use Windows 11 menus.
The short version
- Desktop total: Read or click the word count on the bottom status bar.
- Selected text: Select a passage to see its count alongside the document total on the Windows status bar, or select it before opening Word Count on Mac.
- Windows shortcut: Press Ctrl + Shift + G in Word for Microsoft 365.
- Browser and mobile: Open Review to reach the word count controls.
- Notes: Desktop Word lets you include footnotes and endnotes, while Word for the web excludes them.
| Method or option | Where it works | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Read the total | Windows and Mac | Read the bottom status bar |
| Restore the desktop display | Windows | Right-click the status bar and select Word Count |
| Open detailed statistics | Windows and Mac | Click the status-bar total |
| Count a selection | Windows | Select text and read the status bar |
| Windows ribbon | Windows | Select Review > Word Count |
| Mac menu | Mac | Choose Tools > Word Count |
| Direct shortcut | Microsoft 365 on Windows | Press Ctrl + Shift + G |
| Ribbon keyboard navigation | Windows | Press Alt + R and reach Word Count |
| Command search | Microsoft 365 on Windows and web | Press Alt + Q and search for word count |
| Browser total | Web | Read the bottom-left count |
| Browser statistics | Web | Click the count or use the icon under Review |
| Restore the web display | Web editing view | Select Review > Word Count > Show Word Count |
| iPhone ribbon | iPhone | Tap the Edit icon, then Home > Review > Word Count |
| iPad ribbon | iPad | Select Review > Word Count |
| Android ribbon | Android phones and tablets | Open Review and tap Word count |
| Include text boxes and notes | Windows | Use Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes |
| Include notes | Mac | Use Include footnotes and endnotes |
| Document properties | Windows | Open Advanced Properties > Statistics |
| Editor statistics | Microsoft 365 Current Channel | Select Home > Editor > Document stats |
| Insert a count field | Windows | Select Insert > Quick Parts > Field |
| Create a field with keys | Windows | Press Ctrl + F9 and enter NUMWORDS |
| Refresh before printing | Windows | Enable Update fields before printing |
| Toolbar button | Microsoft 365 on Windows | Add Word Count to the Quick Access Toolbar |
| Custom ribbon button | Windows | Add Word Count to a custom group |
| Personal Windows shortcut | Windows | Assign a shortcut to ToolsWordCount |
| Personal Mac shortcut | Mac | Assign a shortcut through Customize Keyboard |
| Screen reader navigation | Windows, Mac and web | Move keyboard focus to the status bar |
| Narrator status reading | Windows 11 | Press Narrator key + Backslash |
| Windows voice access | Windows 11 | Use numbered controls to open Review > Word Count |
| Mac Voice Control | Compatible macOS releases | Use numbered controls to open Tools > Word Count |
| VBA calculation | Windows with VBA available | Run ComputeStatistics in the Immediate window |
Check the desktop total or a selected passage
Open your document and read the word total on the bottom status bar. Click that total to open the Word Count window when you need detailed statistics.
On Windows, select Review > Word Count and read Words in the dialog. On Mac, choose Tools > Word Count.
To count a paragraph or longer passage on Windows, select the text and read its count alongside the document total on the status bar. Keep the passage selected if you open the count through the Windows ribbon or Mac menu. Leave text unselected when you want the whole-document count.
Open Word Count with the keyboard
In Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + G to open Word Count. Select your text first if you need a partial count.
For another Windows route, press Alt + R to open Review. Use Tab and the Left Arrow, Right Arrow, Up Arrow or Down Arrow keys to reach Word Count, then press Enter. Alternatively, press Alt and follow the displayed KeyTips. These ribbon shortcuts assume a US keyboard layout.
In Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows or Word for the web, press Alt + Q to open Search or Tell Me. Type word count, use Down Arrow to select Word Count, then press Enter.
Find the count in your browser or mobile app
In Word for the web, open an existing document or create one and enter or paste your text. Read the total at the bottom left, or select a passage to count that section. Click the status-bar count for document statistics, or select Review and then the word count icon.
On iPhone, open the document for editing and tap the Edit icon to expose the ribbon. Tap Home to open the tab selector, choose Review, then tap Word Count.
On iPad, open the document for editing, go to the Review tab and tap Word Count.
On an Android phone, open the document for editing, tap the Edit icon, and then tap Home > Review > Word count. On an Android tablet, go to the Review tab and tap Word count.
Fix a missing count or mismatched totals
If the desktop counter is missing on Windows, right-click the status bar and select Word Count. You can also open Review > Word Count directly. In Word for the web, switch to editing view and select Review > Word Count > Show Word Count.
When totals differ, first make sure you are comparing the same selected passage or the whole document. Then check whether notes are included. Word for the web excludes footnotes and endnotes, so use desktop Word when those notes must count.
On Windows, open Word Count and check Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes to include those items. Uncheck it to exclude them. The checkbox controls those items together.
On Mac, choose Tools > Word Count and check Include footnotes and endnotes to include notes. Uncheck it to exclude them. After you add footnotes in Word, check this setting before recording your final total.
Put a word count inside your document
In Word for Windows, click where you want the number to appear, then select Insert > Quick Parts > Field. Under Field names, select NumWords, then select OK. The field uses document-property statistics and needs refreshing after edits.
To create the field with the keyboard, press Ctrl + F9 to insert field braces, then type NUMWORDS inside them. Press F9 to calculate the field. If the code remains visible, press Shift + F9 to show the result.
Whenever the inserted count needs refreshing, right-click the result and select Update Field. To refresh fields before printing, select File > Options > Display. Under Printing options, check Update fields before printing.
Add a button or personal keyboard shortcut
In Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, open Review, right-click Word Count, and select Add to Quick Access Toolbar. Click the added button whenever you need the count. If the toolbar is hidden, right-click above the ribbon and select Show Quick Access Toolbar.
To add a ribbon button in Windows Word, select File > Options > Customize Ribbon. Select the destination tab and choose New Group, then select All Commands under Choose commands from. Select Word Count, select Add >>, then select OK. Use the new button to open the count.
For a personal Windows shortcut, select File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Customize. Under Categories, select All Commands, then select ToolsWordCount under Commands. Enter an unused combination in Press new shortcut key, choose its destination under Save changes in, and select Assign.
On Mac, choose Tools > Customize Keyboard. Select the category containing ToolsWordCount, then select that command. Enter an unused combination in Press new keyboard shortcut and select Add. Use your assigned combination to open the count.
Hear the count with a screen reader
On Windows, press F6 until the status bar receives focus, then use Left Arrow or Right Arrow to reach the count. On Mac with VoiceOver, press F6 to reach the status bar, then use Control + Option + Left Arrow or Control + Option + Right Arrow. In Word for the web, press Ctrl + F6 to reach the status bar, then use Tab or Shift + Tab.
Windows 11 Narrator also supports reading Word's status bar directly with functionality introduced in March 2026. With Narrator running and Word active, press Narrator key + Backslash. The default Narrator modifier keys are Caps Lock and Insert.
Open the count with voice controls
On Windows 11, open Settings > Accessibility > Speech and turn on Voice access. With Word active, say Show numbers, then say Click followed by the number beside Review. Repeat the numbered-selection process to choose Word Count.
On a compatible Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control and turn on Voice Control. With Word active, say Show numbers and speak the number beside Tools. Use the numbered menu items to choose Word Count.
Use document statistics or a VBA calculation
In Windows Word, select File > Info > Properties > Advanced Properties > Statistics, then read Words. You can also view document properties under File > Info, with Show All Properties exposing additional fields.
In Word for Microsoft 365 on the Current Channel, select Home > Editor > Document stats. Select OK when prompted to calculate the statistics, then read the results. If this option is unavailable in your edition or update channel, use the status bar or Word Count command.
For an advanced calculation in Windows Word with VBA available, press Alt + F11, then Ctrl + G to open the Immediate window. Enter this command:
MsgBox ActiveDocument.ComputeStatistics(Statistic:=wdStatisticWords, IncludeFootnotesAndEndnotes:=True)Press Enter to display the computed count, including footnotes and endnotes. Organizational macro restrictions can prevent this route; use the built-in Word Count dialog if VBA is unavailable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Copilot give an exact word count?
Copilot can estimate word counts. Microsoft recommends the built-in Word Count feature when you need an exact result.
Do you need a browser extension or another tool to count words?
No additional tool or browser extension is needed for these counters. You can use the counting features already available in Word.
Is Word Mobile for Windows still a supported option?
Microsoft ended support for the Windows Word Mobile app on October 14, 2025, and removed it from Microsoft Store availability. That retirement is separate from the current Word apps for Android and iOS.
Are Word 2021 and older editions still supported?
Office 2021 has reached retirement as of October 17, 2026. Support for Office 2016 and Office 2019 ended in 2025, so the current desktop instructions focus on Microsoft 365 and Word 2024.