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How to Check Word Count in Notion: Complete Guide (2026)
Find out how to track your Notion word count for pages and databases
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You’re writing in Notion and need to reach 1,500 words - but you’re not sure how far you’ve come. If you’re a writer, student, or freelancer, knowing your exact word count helps you stay on track and meet your goals.
In Notion, word count shows how long your text is, either for a full page or within a database entry. The platform includes a built-in counter for pages and supports custom formulas to track word counts across multiple documents.
This guide explains how to use Notion’s native word count feature, set up automated tracking with formulas, and handle specific cases like character limits or section-level counts.
Does Notion have a built-in Word Count?
Yes, Notion has a built-in word count feature - but it only shows the total for the entire page. You can’t highlight a section or paragraph to see its word count.
The counter includes everything visible on the page: titles, headers, paragraphs, lists, toggles, and text inside database blocks. It’s useful for simple writing tasks like essays, meeting notes, or short blog drafts when you just need a quick total.
But it has limits. There’s no live counter as you type, no way to check a selected section, and no breakdown by block or paragraph. If you need detailed tracking for multiple drafts or want to set word goals, Notion’s database formulas are a better and more flexible option.
How to Check Word Count in Notion (Step-by-Step)
If you write or plan content in Notion, knowing your word count helps you stay on target - whether you’re meeting client goals, essay limits, or SEO guidelines. Here’s the simplest way to check it inside your Notion page.
1. Open the Page You Want to Check
Go to the Notion page that holds your content. Make sure you open it in full-page view. The word count feature won’t work properly if you’re using inline databases or embedded pages. If your content is spread across several pages, you’ll need to check each one separately - Notion doesn’t combine totals automatically.
2. Open the Page Menu
Click the three dots (⋯) in the top-right corner of your Notion page. A dropdown menu will appear. Scroll to the bottom - you’ll see the word count displayed in light gray text. This number indicates the total number of words on that page. Notion doesn’t let you filter by section or block - it’s an overall count only.
3. When to Use This Option
The built-in word counter works best for quick checks. It’s great for single essays, journal entries, project briefs, or short outlines. Please note that it isn’t live; it updates only when you reopen the menu.
If you’re managing multiple articles or tracking content across a team, you’ll need a more advanced setup.
Tracking Word Count Inside Notion Databases
If you need to track word count for multiple drafts in Notion, using a database is the fastest way. It shows every article’s length in one view and updates automatically as you write.
A database helps you check if drafts meet word goals, compare article lengths, and manage SEO or content schedules. Unlike the page counter, the database formula updates in real time without opening extra menus.
Setting Up a Basic Content Database
Create a table database with these columns: title, status, project name, and more. Notion counts only text inside text properties, not the main page body. Write or paste your draft in the text column, or create a separate one for tracking.
Adding a Word Count Formula
Add a new property → choose Formula → name it “Word Count.”
Paste this code: if(length(Book Name("Content")) > 0, length(replaceAll(Book Name("Content"), "^ ", "")) + 1, 0)
Replace Content with your text property name. This counts words by measuring spaces and adds one. Empty entries show “0.”
The count updates automatically as you write, letting you sort, filter, or total words across all entries.
Conclusion
Tracking word count in Notion is simple once you know where to look. The built-in notion word counter works well for quick checks on a single page, while database formulas give you more control when handling multiple drafts or team projects.
With a proper setup, you can monitor your progress, stay within limits, and meet writing goals without leaving Notion. It’s an easy way to stay organized and keep your writing on track - no extra tools needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can Notion show the word count for selected text?
No, Notion only shows the total word count for the whole page. To check a specific section or paragraph, copy the text and use an external word counter.
- Does Notion count words inside databases and toggles?
Yes, the page word count includes text in toggles, callouts, and visible database entries. But text hidden in collapsed sections or linked pages may not always be counted.
- How accurate is the Notion word count formula in databases?
The formula gives a close estimate. It may be slightly off if there are extra spaces or unusual formatting, but it works well for most articles, essays, and blog posts.
- Can I track character count instead of word count in Notion?
Yes. Use this formula:
length(prop("YourTextProperty")). It’s helpful for short content like meta descriptions or social media captions.- What’s the best way to track word count for multiple articles?
Create a Notion database with a text property for your drafts and a formula column for word count. Then, use filters or views to track progress by status, word range, or publish date.
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