How to Count Words in Your Writing

Start with the exact text you plan to submit. Include headings, captions, and notes only if your assignment or publication counts them.

Words and characters are different

A character count includes individual letters, numbers, punctuation, and usually spaces. A word count groups letters and numbers into words. Tools can disagree about hyphenated terms, URLs, and punctuation, so follow the rules of your submission platform.

Check the final draft

Count again after your last edit. A few replaced sentences can move a document above or below a limit. Keep a little room if the limit is strict.