How to Get the Word Count for Your Book
If you’re working on a manuscript, knowing how to get the word count for your book is more important than you might think. While self-publishing gives you full creative control, readers still expect books to fall within certain length ranges based on genre.
Whether you’re writing a memoir, novel, or children’s book, tracking your word count helps you stay aligned with reader expectations and industry standards. It also plays a role in editing costs, formatting, and even pricing your book later on.
If you’re unsure how to quickly check your word count, here’s a simple guide using the two most common writing tools.
Why Word Count Matters for Your Book
Before jumping into the “how,” it’s worth understanding why this matters.
Readers are used to certain book lengths. A thriller that’s too short may feel underdeveloped, while a children’s book that’s too long can lose attention quickly. Staying within expected ranges helps your book feel polished and market-ready.
Word count also affects production. Editors typically charge per word, and longer manuscripts take more time to format and design. Keeping an accurate count helps you plan ahead and avoid surprises.
How to Get the Word Count in Microsoft Word
If you’re using Microsoft Word, getting your book’s word count takes just a few clicks.
Start by opening your manuscript, then go to the Review tab in the top menu. From there, click Word Count. A window will appear showing your total word count, along with pages, characters, and more.
You can also customize what gets included. If you don’t want to count text boxes, footnotes, or endnotes, simply uncheck those options in the dialog box.
For quicker access, you can add Word Count to your toolbar.
On Windows, go to the Review tab, right-click “Word Count,” and select “Add to Quick Access Toolbar.”
On Mac, click the dropdown arrow in the toolbar, choose “More Commands,” then find “Word Count” under the Review section and add it.
Once added, you’ll always see your word count without digging through menus.
How to Get the Word Count in Google Docs
If you’re writing in Google Docs, the process is even simpler.
Open your document, then click Tools in the top menu and select Word count. A pop-up will display your total words, pages, characters, and characters without spaces.
If you want to track your progress in real time, enable the option to display word count while typing. This keeps a running total visible as you write.
You can also highlight a specific section of your manuscript to see the word count for just that portion, which is helpful when working on chapters.
In the bottom left corner, you’ll see a word count box. Clicking it reveals more details, and you can hide it at any time if you prefer a cleaner workspace.
Tips for Tracking Your Book’s Word Count
It’s easy to misjudge how long your manuscript actually is. A story can feel complete but still fall short of genre expectations—or run longer than necessary.
Checking your word count regularly helps you stay on track as you write and edit. It also makes collaboration smoother when working with editors, designers, or publishing partners.
If you’re planning to publish, knowing your exact word count early on helps with everything from budgeting to production timelines.
Keep Your Book on Track by Getting the Word Count Right
Learning how to get the word count for your book is a simple step, but it has a big impact on your publishing process. It keeps your manuscript aligned with reader expectations, helps control costs, and ensures a smoother path from draft to finished book.
Whether you’re using Microsoft Word or Google Docs, checking your word count should become part of your regular writing routine.
