How to count the words in a PDF
- Drop the PDF into the box or choose it from your device.
- Wait a few seconds while the text of each page is read.
- Check the words, characters (with and without spaces), sentences, paragraphs and reading time.
- To count only part of the file, type the pages (for example 2-10) and the numbers update instantly.
What a PDF word counter is for
Counting the words in a PDF is handy when an assignment has a length limit (a thesis, an essay, an article, a cover letter) and all you have is the final file, or when a translation is charged per word and you need to work out the quote. It also helps you estimate how long a document takes to read or check the length of a report.
The tool reads the text that is already inside the PDF, page by page, and counts it with the same rules as our word counter: words based on the language of the page, characters with and without spaces, sentences and paragraphs. You can limit the count to certain pages to leave out the cover, the table of contents or the bibliography.
Everything happens in your browser: the PDF is not uploaded to any server or stored anywhere, so it is also fine for private or confidential documents.
Things to keep in mind
- It only counts real text. If the PDF is a scan (images of pages), there is no text to count and you need text recognition software (OCR).
- Headers, footers and page numbers are counted as words too, just like a word processor that counted everything; to avoid that, limit the pages.
- Depending on how the PDF was built, columns, tables or words hyphenated at the end of a line can cause a small difference from the count in Word or another program.
- Password-protected PDFs cannot be opened: remove the password first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I count the words in a PDF?
Drop the PDF into the box. The tool reads the text of each page and instantly shows the word count, characters, pages and reading time.
Can I count only some pages?
Yes. Type the pages in the field (for example 2-10 or 1-3, 5) and the numbers update. If you leave it empty, the whole PDF is counted.
Why does it say there is no text?
Because the PDF is a scan: each page is an image and has no text that can be counted. You need to run it through text recognition software (OCR).
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. The PDF is read in your browser and is not sent or stored anywhere.
Why doesn't my number match Word's?
Word counts the original document; in a PDF, columns, hyphens and headers can change the result a little. The difference is usually just a few words.