To get a character count in Microsoft Word, click the Review tab and then Word Count, or press Ctrl + Shift + G. The Word Count box shows Characters (no spaces) and Characters (with spaces), along with pages, words, paragraphs, and lines. You can also click the word count in the status bar at the bottom of the window to open the same box. To count characters in just part of a document, select that text first.
These steps work in Word 2016, Word 2019, Word 2021, Word 2024, and Word for Microsoft 365. Below you’ll also find steps for Mac, the web, and mobile.
How to see the character count in Word
- Open your document.
- Click the Review tab.
- In the Proofing group, click Word Count.
- Read the Characters (no spaces) and Characters (with spaces) lines.
- Click Close.
Faster ways to open Word Count
- Press Ctrl + Shift + G (Command + Shift + G on a Mac).
- Click the word count in the status bar at the bottom left, such as “1,248 words.”
Don’t see the word count in the status bar? Right-click the status bar and check Word Count.
How to count characters in part of a document
- Select the text you want to count. Hold Ctrl to select several separate sections.
- Open Word Count. It shows the count for the selection only.
The status bar also changes to show something like “85 of 1,248 words” while text is selected.
With spaces or without?
| Count | What it includes | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|
| Characters (with spaces) | Letters, numbers, punctuation, and spaces | Online forms, social posts, meta descriptions, most “character limits” |
| Characters (no spaces) | Everything except spaces | Translation pricing and some academic or publishing limits |
If a form or assignment doesn’t say which one, assume it means characters with spaces.
Include or exclude text boxes, footnotes, and endnotes
At the bottom of the Word Count box, check or uncheck Include textboxes, footnotes and endnotes. Headers and footers aren’t counted either way.
Character count in other versions of Word
- Word for Mac: Review > Word Count, or Tools > Word Count.
- Word for the web: Review > Word Count, or click the word count at the bottom of the page.
- Word for iPhone and iPad: Tap Review in the ribbon, then the Word Count icon (123).
- Word for Android: Tap the Edit icon (A with a pencil), switch to Review, and tap Word Count.
Frequently asked questions
Does Word count spaces as characters?
Word shows both. “Characters (with spaces)” counts them, and “Characters (no spaces)” doesn’t.
Can I keep the character count on screen while I type?
No. The status bar only shows the word count. Reopen the Word Count box with Ctrl + Shift + G whenever you want to check characters.
Why is Word’s count different from Google Docs?
Each app treats some things differently, like URLs, hyphenated words, and footnotes. The difference is usually small.
How do I count words in Google Docs instead?
See how to check word count in Google Docs.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.