How to Count Words in Documents Online for Free

Counting words in documents is essential for students, writers, bloggers, and professionals. Whether you're working on an essay, a report, or a blog post, knowing the exact word count helps you meet requirements and stay within limits. This guide shows you simple and free ways to count words in various document formats using Writely – a fast, private, and browser‑based word counter.

Supported Document Types

You can count words in almost any text‑based document, including:

• Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx)
• Google Docs
• PDF files (copy text manually)
• Text files (.txt)
• Web pages (copy content)
• Emails, notes, and any other written content

How to Count Words in Documents (Free)

1. Open your document (Word, Google Docs, PDF, etc.).
2. Select all text (Ctrl+A on Windows / Cmd+A on Mac) and copy it (Ctrl+C / Cmd+C).
3. Paste the text into the Writely Word Counter – it’s free and works instantly.
4. View your results: total words, characters, sentences, paragraphs, and even keyword density.

Why Use Writely for Word Counting?

• 100% Free: No sign‑up, no hidden fees.
• Privacy First: Your text never leaves your browser – all processing happens locally.
• Works Everywhere: On desktop, tablet, and mobile.
• Extra Features: Keyword density, reading time, unique word count, and more.
• Clean Interface: No distractions, just the stats you need.

Tips for Accurate Word Counting

• When copying from PDFs, watch out for line breaks – you may need to clean up extra spaces.
• For Google Docs, you can also use the built‑in word counter (Tools → Word count), but it lacks extra metrics like keyword density.
• If your document contains footnotes or endnotes, include them in your selection for a complete count.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this document word counter really free?

Yes, Writely is completely free with no registration required. You can use it as many times as you want.

Does it work for Google Docs?

Absolutely. Simply copy your text from Google Docs and paste it into Writely. You'll get instant word and character counts, plus advanced metrics.

Can I count words in a PDF?

Yes, but you'll need to copy the text from your PDF viewer (most allow text selection). Some PDFs may have complex formatting that requires extra cleaning – you can use our Remove Extra Spaces tool afterward.

Does Writely store my text?

No. All processing is done locally in your browser. Once you close the page, your text is gone. We never store or share your content.