DOCX Word Counter

Count words in Word files instantly

Need to check the length of a document before submitting, sharing, or editing? This Docx word counter lets you upload a Word file and instantly see word count and key text metrics, so you can stay within limits, tighten your writing, and review changes faster.

Drag and drop the file here

Include headers, footers, footnotes, endnotes and comments

How does a DOCX word counter work?

1. Upload Word file

Upload or drag and drop your Word document to start the analysis.

2. View results

Check word count and other metrics as soon as processing completes.

3. That is it

It is quick and simple, and you can upload another file whenever you need.

Good to know

Supported formats

Works with DOCX, DOCM, DOTX, and DOTM, and older DOC files are detected as unsupported.

File size limit

The default maximum file size is 10MB, so very large documents may not be supported.

Safe processing

Your file is not uploaded to our servers and nothing is saved, so your document stays private.

Tracked changes support

If your document uses Track Changes, the tool counts inserted text so you can see what the document would contain if edits are accepted.

Where detectable, deleted tracked-change text is ignored so removed content does not inflate the totals.

This makes the tool useful when reviewing edited drafts, collaborative documents, and documents being finalised for submission.

Common use cases

Use the tool whenever you need quick text totals from a Word document.

Essays, dissertations, and coursework submissions
CVs, cover letters, and application documents
Reports, proposals, and business documents
Editing and proofreading with Track Changes
Contracts and policy documents for length checks
Publishing drafts and client deliverables

Accuracy and limitations

This tool counts text stored in the Word file format and is designed to match what a reader would see in the document. Counts can still vary slightly from Word’s built-in statistics depending on how Word treats hyphenation, footnotes, text boxes, headers and footers, and other document elements.

Tracked changes are handled where possible, but complex revision histories or unusual formatting can affect what is detected. For the most consistent results, use a clean, saved version of the file and keep changes visible if you are relying on revision aware counts.

Frequently asked questions

Which Word formats are supported?

DOCX, DOCM, DOTX, and DOTM are supported. Legacy DOC files do not work because they use an older binary format that this tool cannot read, so you will see an error message. To fix it, open the DOC file in Microsoft Word or LibreOffice and save it as DOCX, then upload the new file.

Why might the result differ from Microsoft Word’s word count?

Microsoft Word uses its own counting rules and may include or exclude certain elements depending on settings. Differences often come from hyphenation, footnotes, headers and footers, text boxes, and how revisions are displayed.

Does it count text in headers and footers?

Yes, headers and footers are included by default, along with other document areas like footnotes, endnotes, and comments. If you want to exclude them, simply untick the relevant options before running the count.

Does it count tables and bullet lists?

Yes, tables and bullet lists are counted as long as the content is real text in the document. Very complex layouts can affect how text is stored, but most standard Word documents count cleanly.

Is my document uploaded or saved anywhere?

No, the file is processed locally and is not uploaded to a server. Nothing is stored, so your content stays private.