PDF Word Counter

Advanced document analysis and visualization tool

Drag and drop your PDF files here

Analyzing document…

Word Frequency Distribution

Word Cloud

Text Preview

Ensuring that your written content meets the proper length required is now more important than ever, especially when working with PDF files.

Precise word counting is crucial to ensure that your document does not exceed the required length or lack the length to create an impact on the reader or make it meaningful.

Whether you are a writer, student, or researcher who frequently uses PDF files it is essential to accurately measure your content to ensure it’s effective and meaningful.

That’s why I developed this user-friendly PDF word counter tool designed to help you count words and ensure your content is precisely aligned with your word count requirements and needs.

How to Count PDF Document Words Using Our Tool?

To count words in a PDF file using our tool is very easy, just follow these simple steps:

Visit our website and navigate to the PDF word counter page.
Click on the upload button and upload your file
Click on the count button the tool will automatically count the number of words in Your file.

5 Other Best Ways to Count Words in PDF Documents

While our tool is the most straightforward option, there are other ways to count words in a PDF file. These methods vary in accuracy, ease of use, and accessibility.

Below, we’ll explore five alternative solutions, explaining how each technique works step by step and when they might be the best choice.

1. Using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

If you can access Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, you can use its built-in metadata feature to check the word count. This is one of the most reliable methods for digitally created PDFs, but it does not work for scanned PDFs or those with embedded text images.

How to Count Words Using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Step 1: Open Adobe Acrobat Pro DC on your Windows or macOS device.
Step 2: Click on File > Open, then select your PDF file.
Step 3: Once the document opens, go to File > Properties (or press Ctrl + D on Windows, Command + D on Mac).
Step 4: In the Document Properties window, navigate to the Description tab.
Step 5: If the document contains selectable text, the word count is displayed in the metadata section.

When to Use This Method

If you already have Adobe Acrobat Pro DC installed.
When working with standard PDFs (not scanned or image-based files).
If you need additional metadata like character count, page count, or language information.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Highly accurate for text-based PDFs.
Provides additional metadata like characters, paragraphs, and page count.

Cons:

Requires a paid Adobe Acrobat subscription ($19.99/month for the Pro version).
Does not work with scanned PDFs or images.

2. Converting the PDF to a Word Document

If your PDF is editable (not scanned or locked), converting it to a Microsoft Word (.docx) file allows you to use Word’s built-in word count feature.

How to Convert a PDF to Word and Count Words

Step 1: Open Microsoft Word on your computer.
Step 2: Click File > Open, then select the PDF file you want to convert.
Step 3: Microsoft Word will ask if you want to convert the file—click OK to proceed.
Step 4: Once the document is converted, click Review > Word Count (or press Ctrl + Shift + G on Windows, Command + Shift + G on Mac).
Step 5: The word count, character count, and paragraph count will be displayed in a pop-up window.

When to Use This Method

If the PDF is editable and not locked.
When you need to edit or modify the document after counting words.
If you prefer working offline without an internet connection.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Free and available on all Microsoft Word versions.
Works well for structured PDFs.

Cons:

Formatting may change during conversion.
Does not work well for complex layouts or scanned PDFs.

3. Using an Online PDF to Text Converter

Several online tools, like Smallpdf, ILovePDF, and PDF2Go, allow you to extract text from a PDF file and copy it into a word processor to check the word count.

How to Use an Online PDF to Text Converter

Step 1: Visit a PDF-to-Text Converter website (e.g., Smallpdf, ILovePDF, or PDF2Go).
Step 2: Upload your PDF file by clicking the upload button or dragging and dropping the file.
Step 3: The tool will automatically extract the text from your PDF.
Step 4: Once the extraction is complete, copy the extracted text and paste it into a word processor like Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or Notepad.
Step 5: Use the word count feature in the respective word processor to see the total words.

When to Use This Method

If you need a quick and free way to count words.
When working with locked PDFs that cannot be edited directly.
If you are on a mobile device or using a browser-based solution.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Works on any device (PC, Mac, Mobile).
No need to install additional software.

Cons:

Some tools have file size limits (e.g., 50MB max on some free versions).
Formatting and text structure may not be preserved correctly.

4. Using Microsoft Word’s Open Feature

Another built-in method is opening the PDF directly in Microsoft Word to convert it into an editable document.

Steps to Count Words in PDF Using Microsoft Word

Step 1: Open Microsoft Word.
Step 2: Click File > Open, then select your PDF file.
Step 3: A pop-up message will appear stating that Word will convert the PDF into an editable document—click OK.
Step 4: Once the document is opened, click Review > Word Count (or press Ctrl + Shift + G).
Step 5: The word count, character count, and paragraph details will be displayed in a pop-up window.

When to Use This Method

If you have Microsoft Word installed and prefer working offline.
When dealing with standard PDFs that don’t have complex layouts.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

No need for third-party tools or subscriptions.
Works well for basic PDF documents.

Cons

Formatting may be altered after conversion.
Does not work for scanned PDFs.

5. Using Google Docs for Online Word Counting

If you don’t have access to Microsoft Word, Google Docs is a great free alternative to count words in a PDF file.

Steps to Use Google Docs for Word Counting

Step 1: Go to Google Drive and upload your PDF file.
Step 2: Right-click the file and select Open with > Google Docs.
Step 3: Once the document opens in Google Docs, click Tools > Word Count (or press Ctrl + Shift + C).
Step 4: A pop-up will display the total word count, character count, and page count.

When to Use This Method

If you prefer a cloud-based solution that works on any device.
When working with team members or collaborators.
If you need basic text editing features after conversion.

Pros & Cons

Pros

100% free and accessible from any device.
Works well for text-based PDFs.

Cons

Formatting and layout may not be preserved after conversion.
Requires an internet connection.

Use Cases for the Document Word Counter

This tool is useful in many situations where word limits matter. Here are 10 practical use cases:

Academic Writing & Research Papers

Students and researchers must adhere to word count requirements for essays, theses, and dissertations.

Legal Documents & Contracts

Lawyers and legal professionals need to track word count in contracts, agreements, and court filings to meet compliance requirements.

Content Writing & Blogging

Writers, bloggers, and content creators use word counters to ensure SEO-friendly and readable article lengths.

Publishing & Manuscript Editing

Authors and editors verify the word count of books, articles, and short stories to fit publishing guidelines.

Resume & Cover Letter Formatting

Job seekers need to stay within recommended word limits for resumes and cover letters to make a strong impact.

Marketing & Advertising Copywriting

Marketers ensure their ads, social media captions, and product descriptions stay concise and engaging.

Government & Official Documents

Government agencies often set word count limits for proposals, tenders, and policy documents.

Translators & Localization Experts

Translators analyze the word count of source documents to estimate translation costs and project timelines.

Business Reports & Corporate Communications

Businesses track word count in annual reports, whitepapers, and emails to maintain clarity and effectiveness.

Speech & Presentation Scripts

Public speakers and educators use word counters to time their speeches and presentations accurately.

Final Verdict

Remember, a good PDF Word Counter isn’t just about numbers – it’s about efficiently managing and analyzing text content within PDF documents. Whether you’re a student working on a research paper or a professional preparing a critical report, this tool can help you maintain consistency, meet requirements, and optimize your writing in PDF format.