PDF Word Counter

Free online tool to count words, characters, and estimate reading time from any PDF file - including scanned PDFs

šŸ”’ 100% Private - Runs in your browser
Click or drag a PDF here to upload
Your PDF never leaves your device
Enter the first page number to start counting from
Enter the last page number to count up to
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Lightning Fast

Get instant word counts from any PDF file without waiting for uploads

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100% Private

Your files never leave your browser. All processing happens locally

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Detailed Stats

Get word count, character count, and estimated reading time

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OCR Support

Automatically detects and processes scanned PDFs using built-in OCR technology

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Mobile Friendly

Works perfectly on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the PDF word counter work?
Our tool uses PDF.js to extract text from your PDF files directly in your browser. It then counts words, characters, and calculates reading time based on standard reading speeds.
Is my PDF file uploaded to your servers?
No! Your PDF file never leaves your device. All processing happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. This ensures complete privacy and security.
Can I count words in specific pages only?
Yes! You can specify start and end page numbers to count words in a specific range of pages rather than the entire document.
What file formats are supported?
Currently, we support PDF files only. The tool works with most standard PDF documents including those with text, forms, mixed content, and even scanned PDFs using OCR technology.
How accurate is the reading time estimate?
The reading time is calculated based on an average reading speed of 200 words per minute, which is standard for adult readers. Actual reading time may vary based on content complexity and individual reading speed.
Can I count only part of a long PDF?
Absolutely. You can specify start and end pages — a great way to focus on chapters, sections, or specific parts of your PDF.
How fast is it?
Very fast. Even large PDFs with dozens of pages load in seconds. A progress percentage reassures you when parsing multi-page documents.
Can I count words in scanned PDFs?
Yes! Our tool now supports scanned PDFs using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology. When the tool detects that a PDF contains scanned content, it automatically uses OCR to extract and count the text. This process may take a bit longer than regular PDFs but maintains the same privacy - everything happens in your browser.
How does this compare to other tools?
Unlike many PDF word counters, we're client-side, privacy-first, and include extra stats like character count and reading time — all with no extra clicks. We also support scanned PDFs with built-in OCR technology.

Why Use Our PDF Word Counter?

Our free PDF word counter is the most reliable and privacy-focused tool available online. Unlike other PDF word count tools that require you to upload your documents to their servers, our tool processes everything directly in your browser, ensuring your files never leave your device.

Perfect for Students, Writers, and Professionals

Whether you're a student checking your essay word count, an author tracking your manuscript length, or a professional needing document statistics, our PDF word counter provides instant, accurate results. The tool works with any PDF file, from simple text documents to complex academic papers with formatting.

Advanced Features for Detailed Analysis

How to Count Words in a PDF

  1. Click or drag your PDF file into the upload area above
  2. Optionally set a page range to count specific sections
  3. Wait for the analysis to complete (usually takes just a few seconds)
  4. View your word count, character count, and reading time estimate
  5. Copy the results to your clipboard for easy sharing

Common Use Cases

šŸ“š Academic Writing

Check word limits for essays, research papers, and academic submissions. Our tool accurately counts words even in complex academic PDFs with citations and references.

āœļø Content Creation

Track your writing progress, estimate reading time for blog posts, and ensure your content meets length requirements for various platforms.

šŸ“„ Business Documents

Analyze contracts, reports, and business proposals. Get precise word counts for legal documents and professional communications.

šŸ“– Publishing

Calculate manuscript length for books, articles, and publications. Estimate printing costs and reading time for your audience.

Why Choose Our Free PDF Word Counter?

With thousands of users worldwide, our PDF word counter has become the go-to tool for accurate document analysis. The combination of speed, accuracy, and privacy makes it the best choice for anyone who needs to count words in PDF files.

Free, Fast, and Secure: No registration required, no file uploads, and no data collection. Your privacy is our priority.