Essay word counter
Word count with the page estimate underneath, because most essay briefs specify one and mark against the other.
Numbers appear here once you add text.
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- Counts as you type
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What is usually excluded from an essay word count
Institutions differ, so the handbook wins over any general rule. That said, the common conventions are consistent enough to be worth knowing.
| Element | Usually | Check if |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Excluded | It runs long or is assessed |
| Abstract | Excluded, or counted separately | Always — this one varies most |
| In-text citations | Included | Your style uses footnote citations |
| Footnotes | Varies widely | Always — some fields count them, some do not |
| Block quotations | Included | Your brief caps quotation volume |
| Reference list | Excluded | Rarely — exclusion is near universal |
| Tables and figures | Excluded | They contain substantial prose |
| Appendices | Excluded | They carry assessed content |
The ten per cent convention
Most institutions permit roughly ten per cent either side of the stated count, but this is a convention rather than a right, and a growing number of departments apply a hard ceiling with automatic penalties past it.
Being under length is treated more harshly than students expect. A 2,000-word essay submitted at 1,500 words has not covered the ground the question demanded, and marks are lost on content rather than on the count itself. Aim for 95 to 100 per cent of the limit.
Cutting an over-length essay
In roughly the order that costs you the fewest marks.
- Cut the throat-clearing. Opening sentences that announce what the essay will do can usually go entirely.
- Shorten quotations. Long block quotes are the cheapest words to lose; paraphrase and cite instead.
- Delete signposting. “As discussed above” and “it is important to note that” add nothing.
- Compress the summary paragraphs. A conclusion that restates every section at length is padding.
- Cut a whole argument last. Losing a point costs more marks than tightening five paragraphs.
Common questions
Do references count toward the essay word limit?
The reference list is almost always excluded. In-text citations are usually included. Footnotes vary by discipline and institution, and are the single most common source of confusion. Check your handbook.
What happens if I go over the word limit?
It depends on the institution. Many allow ten per cent leeway; some apply a mark penalty past it; some stop reading at the limit. The last of these is the most damaging, since your conclusion may go unread.
How many pages is a 2,000-word essay?
About eight pages double-spaced or four single-spaced, in 12pt Times New Roman with one-inch margins.
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