What can I see?
In the word/character count area at the top right of the document you can switch between:- Including spaces
- Excluding spaces
- Excluding paragraph indents
- Excluding spaces and punctuation
- Word count
- Off (hide count)
How do I check?
- Open the document.
- Click the count display at the top right.
- Choose the counting method you want.
- The number updates to that method immediately.
What each option means
Including spaces
Standard character count. Often what contests and submissions ask for.Excluding spaces
Only characters. Use when you care about actual text density.Excluding paragraph indents
Shows length without indent formatting. Good for “real” body length.Excluding spaces and punctuation
Pure text length. Useful for comparing density.Words
Count by words instead of characters. Useful for translation or English-length targets.When to use it
1️⃣ Contests or submission deadlines
When you need to hit something like “under 5,000 characters including spaces,” you can check instantly.2️⃣ Long manuscripts
Compare length across chapters to keep balance.3️⃣ Daily or project goals
Set a target (e.g. 1,000 words) and track progress.Tips
- In early drafts, “including spaces” is enough for a rough length.
- When revising, “excluding spaces” helps check density.
- Keeping chapter length fairly even helps pacing.
- Word count is handy for translation and synopsis length.
Summary
- You can see length at the top of the document.
- Choose the counting method that fits your goal.
- The number updates in real time.
- Length is part of structure; use it to keep balance.