PDF Word Count
Count words, characters, sentences and pages in any PDF. Get reading time estimate. Processed entirely in your browser.
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Why Count Words in PDF Files
Word counts in PDFs are needed for academic submissions (checking a dissertation meets the minimum word count), freelance writing invoices (charging per word), editorial work (fitting content within limits) and translation cost estimation. Most PDF readers do not show word counts. Our tool extracts all text and gives you a complete count of words, characters, sentences, pages and estimated reading time in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to count words in a PDF document online free? ▼
Upload your PDF to our Word Count tool. It extracts all text using PDF.js and counts words, characters, sentences, pages and calculates reading time. Results appear in under 10 seconds for most documents.
What is the average number of words per PDF page? ▼
A standard A4 page with 12pt font and normal margins contains approximately 250–300 words. Academic papers: 300–350 words/page. Dense reports: up to 400 words/page. Our tool counts the actual words in your specific document.
How to check word count of a PDF for academic submission? ▼
Upload the PDF — our tool shows the total word count instantly. Note: footnotes, headers, page numbers and captions are included in the count. If your institution requires a specific counting method, verify with them.
Can I count words in a password-protected PDF? ▼
No — encrypted PDFs cannot be parsed. Remove the password protection first (if you know the password) before uploading to our word count tool.