How many pages is my word count?
The number of pages depends on the font, font size, margins and line spacing. The table below assumes an A4 page with standard 2.54 cm margins and a 12 point font such as Times New Roman or an 11 point font such as Arial. Headings, tables and short paragraphs will add pages, so treat these figures as estimates.
| Words | Single spaced | 1.5 spaced | Double spaced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 1 | 1.5 | 2 |
| 750 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 3 |
| 1,000 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 1,500 | 3 | 4.5 | 6 |
| 2,000 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| 2,500 | 5 | 7.5 | 10 |
| 3,000 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
| 4,000 | 8 | 12 | 16 |
| 5,000 | 10 | 15 | 20 |
| 8,000 | 16 | 24 | 32 |
| 10,000 | 20 | 30 | 40 |
| 12,000 | 24 | 36 | 48 |
| 15,000 | 30 | 45 | 60 |
What counts towards your word count?
Most UK universities set their own word count rules, so check your module handbook first. As a general pattern:
- The main text, headings and quotations usually count
- In-text citations usually count, although some departments exclude them
- The reference list or bibliography usually does not count
- Appendices, the title page and the contents page usually do not count
- Tables and figures vary: some count them, some do not
- Many universities allow a margin of around 10% over or under the limit, while others apply a penalty for any overrun
Why counts differ between tools
Word processors and online counters do not always agree. Differences usually come from hyphenated words, numbers, symbols, web addresses and text in footnotes or text boxes. This counter treats a word as any group of characters between spaces that contains a letter or a number, which closely matches Microsoft Word for most academic text.
If your university uses a specific tool, such as Word's own count, use that for the final check before you submit.
Typical word counts for UK assignments
Lengths vary by university, subject and level, but these ranges are common:
- Undergraduate essays and reports: 1,500 to 3,000 words
- Master's assignments: 2,500 to 5,000 words
- Reflective reports: 1,000 to 2,500 words
- Undergraduate dissertations: 8,000 to 12,000 words
- Master's dissertations: 12,000 to 20,000 words
- A presentation script: about 130 words per minute of speaking
Getting to the right length
If you are over the limit, cut repetition first: summaries that restate earlier sections, long quotations and descriptive background usually go before analysis. If you are under, add depth rather than padding: more evidence, a counter-argument, or a closer link between theory and your example.
Our proofreading and draft feedback services can help you tighten a draft that is too long or strengthen one that is too thin, from £12 per 1,000 words for proofreading.