How to Count Characters in Word (Complete Guide)
Learn how to count characters in Microsoft Word on Windows and Mac. Step-by-step tutorial with keyboard shortcuts, tips, and free alternatives.
Whether you are writing a tweet, crafting a meta description, or meeting strict character limits for an assignment, knowing how to count characters in Microsoft Word is essential. Word provides built-in tools to track not just words, but also characters, paragraphs, and pages. In this comprehensive guide, we will show you every method to count characters in Word on both Windows and Mac, plus introduce you to our character counter tool for even faster results.
Why Character Count Matters
Character count is crucial in many writing scenarios where precision matters:
- •Social media: Twitter/X has a 280-character limit, Instagram bios are 150 characters
- •SEO meta descriptions: Google typically displays 150-160 characters in search results
- •SMS messages: Standard SMS is limited to 160 characters
- •Academic writing: Some assignments specify character limits instead of word counts
- •Form fields: Many online forms have character limits for inputs
- •Headlines and titles: Optimal title length for SEO is 50-60 characters
For quick character counting without opening Word, try our free word counter which shows character count in real-time.
How to Count Characters in Word (Windows)
Microsoft Word on Windows offers multiple ways to check your character count. Here are the most common methods:
Method 1: Using the Review Tab
- 1Open your document in Microsoft Word
- 2Click on the Review tab in the ribbon
- 3Click Word Count in the Proofing group
- 4View "Characters (with spaces)" and "Characters (no spaces)"
Method 2: Using the Status Bar
- 1Look at the bottom left of the Word window
- 2You will see "Words: X" displayed in the status bar
- 3Click on it to open the Word Count dialog
- 4Character count will be displayed in the dialog box
How to Count Characters in Word (Mac)
The process is similar on Mac, with a few differences in the menu layout:
Method 1: Using the Tools Menu
- 1Open your document in Microsoft Word for Mac
- 2Click on Tools in the menu bar
- 3Select Word Count
- 4View characters with and without spaces
Optimize Your Content for SEO
Want to ensure your keywords are properly distributed? Check your keyword density instantly with our free tool.
Check Keyword DensityKeyboard Shortcuts for Character Count
Save time with these keyboard shortcuts to quickly access character count:
Windows
Mac
These shortcuts instantly open the Word Count dialog where you can see all statistics including characters, words, paragraphs, and lines.
Live Character Count While Typing
Microsoft Word displays the word count in the status bar by default, but you can customize it to show more information:
How to Customize the Status Bar
- 1Right-click on the status bar at the bottom of Word
- 2A menu will appear with various options
- 3Ensure Word Count is checked
- 4Click on the word count to open the full statistics dialog anytime
Counting Spaces, Paragraphs, and Pages
The Word Count dialog in Microsoft Word provides comprehensive statistics:
| Statistic | Description |
|---|---|
| Pages | Total number of pages in your document |
| Words | Total word count |
| Characters (no spaces) | Character count excluding spaces |
| Characters (with spaces) | Character count including spaces |
| Paragraphs | Number of paragraphs |
| Lines | Total number of lines |
You can also check the option to "Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes" if you need those counted in your statistics.
Common Errors & Fixes
Here are some common issues users encounter when counting characters in Word:
Word count not showing in status bar
Fix: Right-click on the status bar and ensure "Word Count" is checked in the menu.
Character count seems incorrect
Fix: Check if hidden formatting characters are being counted. Also verify if footnotes/endnotes are included.
Keyboard shortcut not working
Fix: The shortcut may conflict with other software. Try using the menu method or check your keyboard settings.
Need character count for selected text only
Fix: First select/highlight the text, then use the Word Count feature. It will show stats for the selection.
Use Wordee Free Character Counter
While Microsoft Word is great for document editing, sometimes you need a quick way to count characters without opening Word. That is where Wordee's free character counter comes in handy.
Why Use Wordee Character Counter?
- Real-time counting: See character count update as you type
- No software needed: Works in any web browser
- Multiple statistics: Characters, words, sentences, paragraphs
- Free forever: No sign-up or payment required
- Privacy-focused: Your text is never stored on our servers
Simply paste your text into our character counter tool and get instant results. You can also use our reading time calculator to estimate how long your content takes to read.
Calculate Reading Time Instantly
Want to know how long your content takes to read? Paste your text into our reading time calculator for instant results.
Calculate Reading TimeFrequently Asked Questions
How do I check character count in Microsoft Word?
In Microsoft Word, go to Review > Word Count, or click the word count in the status bar at the bottom of the window. The dialog box shows characters with and without spaces.
Does Word count spaces as characters?
Yes, Microsoft Word counts spaces as characters by default. However, the Word Count dialog shows both 'Characters (with spaces)' and 'Characters (no spaces)' so you can see both values.
What is the keyboard shortcut for character count in Word?
On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+G to open the Word Count dialog. On Mac, press Cmd+Shift+G. This shows characters, words, paragraphs, and more.
Can I see character count while typing in Word?
Yes, the status bar at the bottom of Microsoft Word shows the word count by default. Click on it to see the full statistics including character count. You can also customize the status bar to show characters directly.
How do I count characters in a selected text in Word?
Simply highlight the text you want to count, then go to Review > Word Count or use the keyboard shortcut. Word will display the count for your selection only.
Does Word count include footnotes and endnotes?
By default, Word does not include footnotes and endnotes in the character count. However, you can check the 'Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes' option in the Word Count dialog to include them.
Conclusion
Counting characters in Microsoft Word is straightforward once you know where to look. Whether you use the Review tab, the status bar, or keyboard shortcuts, Word provides all the statistics you need. For quick character counting without opening Word, bookmark our free character counter tool.
Need more writing tools? Explore our complete suite of free writing tools including readability score checker, keyword density analyzer, and more.
Share this article:
