Documents / Words
DOCX Word Count: Private Browser Tool
Count words, characters and paragraphs in a local DOCX, with heading section totals, a page estimate and separate switches for footnotes, text boxes and tables.
DOCX Word Count: Private Browser Tool: Check the length of an emailed document without installing Office. Words are runs of letters or numbers, with internal apostrophes and hyphens kept together. Each heading section includes its heading and ends at the next heading of any level. Referenced footnotes are counted once in the overall total, not the section rows. For pasted text, use the [word counter](/word-counter). Runs 100% locally in your browser with zero server file uploads.
- Category
- Text tools
- Runs
- In your browser
- Cost
- Free · no sign-up
- Availability
- Ready to use
Runs entirely in your browser
Up to 50 MB · the file never leaves your device
Each section runs from its heading to the next heading at any level, including its heading text. Footnotes appear in the total only, once per referenced note. Characters count Unicode code points, including spaces and inline breaks; paragraph separators and automatic list labels are excluded. Pages use 500 words per page and at least one page per explicit page break; this is not Word pagination.
Why can this differ from Word?
Word counts the whole document or a selected range, and its desktop word-count dialogue can include text boxes, footnotes and endnotes. This tool gives separate switches for footnotes, text boxes and tables. It counts runs of letters and numbers, keeping internal apostrophes and hyphens together. Language rules, fields, hidden text and revisions can make the result differ from Word. Text in the main document is counted even when marked hidden. Deleted revisions, headers, footers, comments and endnotes are excluded. For an official submission, check the required count in Word with the same inclusion settings.
Document structure
ECMA-376 (https://ecma-international.org/publications-and-standards/standards/ecma-376/) defines the document structure and packaging used by DOCX files. Conversion keeps readable structure rather than the printed page layout.
Word counting
Microsoft's word-count guide (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/training/show-word-count) explains whole-document and selected-range counts and the word-count dialogue. Matching the included content matters when comparing totals.
How this estimate works
Automatic list labels, footnote reference numbers and picture descriptions do not add words. Body paragraphs, text boxes, tables and referenced footnotes follow the inclusion switches. A sequence of Chinese letters is one word under this rule; the count is not a language-specific tokenisation. Page estimates are reading aids rather than print pagination.
How to use it
- Choose a DOCX file.
- Choose whether to count footnotes, text boxes and tables.
- Read the totals and heading sections, and check the counting explanation.
Privacy & limitations
Everything runs in your browser; the file never leaves your device.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Why can this differ from Word?
Word counts the whole document or a selected range. The desktop word-count dialogue can include text boxes, footnotes and endnotes. Word uses its own language and counting rules. This tool offers separate footnote, text-box and table switches; it excludes headers, footers, comments, endnotes and deleted revisions. Hidden main-document text is included. Match the inclusion settings and use Word if a submission requires its exact count.
How are characters and paragraphs counted?
Characters are Unicode code points, with and without whitespace. Inline breaks count as whitespace; paragraph separators and automatic list labels are excluded. Only non-empty paragraphs are counted, including selected table, text-box and footnote paragraphs.
Is the page estimate the original page count?
No. It uses 500 words per page, with at least one page per explicit page break. Fonts, margins, spacing and illustrations change the printed page count. Use words to pages to explore other layout settings.
Free tool · runs in your browser · no account required