word count

USAGE SUMMARY

"word count" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to the number of words in a piece of writing, such as the length requirement for an essay: "The essay must be at least 500 words, not including the title or references, for a total word count of 500."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Plus, low word count.

The New York Times - Books

Make each word count!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

- Word count of the article.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I just checked my word count.

The New York Times

Get help to make every word count.

Nature

Gotta bump up that word count!

The Guardian

Have I hit word count yet?

The Guardian - Music

It should use the full word count.

The Guardian

5.36pm GMT As for the word-count: Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) By word count, Pres.

The Guardian

(A word count ending about here, for example).

The New York Times

The grid has a nice low word count besides".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying a "word count" for an assignment, be clear whether it is a minimum, maximum, or exact requirement. Use tools like Microsoft Word or Google Docs to get an accurate count.

Common error

Ensure your "word count" accurately reflects the body of your text by excluding elements like titles, headings, captions, footnotes, and citations, unless explicitly instructed otherwise. Miscalculating can lead to penalties or misrepresentation of your work's length.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "word count" functions as a noun, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It refers to the numerical total of words in a given text. This is supported by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "word count" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase that refers to the number of words in a passage of text. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread use across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. Writers should be mindful of "word count" requirements and utilize available tools for accurate measurement. Moreover, the Ludwig AI analysis did not detect any grammatical issues, which confirms that this phrase is fully appropriate for use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

number of words

This alternative directly specifies what is being counted, emphasizing the quantity of words.

length of text

This focuses on the overall dimension of the written piece, measured by its word quantity.

text length

Similar to "length of text", but with a slightly different word order.

word limit

This phrase highlights a maximum or restriction on the number of words that can be used.

total words

Emphasizes the final sum of all words in a given text.

article length

This alternative specifies what is being counted, referring to the length of text in the article.

manuscript length

This alternative specifies what is being counted, referring to the length of text in the manuscript.

number of characters

Focuses on individual symbols instead of words.

character count

Similar to "number of characters", but more concise.

page count

Refers to number of pages, instead of words.

FAQs

How is "word count" typically used in academic writing?

In academic writing, "word count" is used to specify the required length of essays, research papers, and other assignments. It is essential to adhere to the specified "word count" to meet the assignment criteria.

What tools can I use to check the "word count" of my document?

Most word processors like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Pages have built-in features to automatically calculate the "word count". Online tools are also available for this purpose.

What should I do if my "word count" exceeds the limit?

If your "word count" exceeds the limit, revise your writing to eliminate unnecessary words and phrases. Focus on conveying your message concisely and effectively. Consider using synonyms or rephrasing sentences to reduce the overall "word count".

Is there a difference between "word count" and character count?

"Word count" refers to the number of words in a text, while character count refers to the number of individual letters, numbers, and symbols, including spaces. It's important to know which measure is required, as they are calculated differently. Some online tools can calculate both metrics.