Do Numbers Count in Word Count?

Numbers count in the word count of academic papers. This applies to both digits and numerals written out as words. Keep reading to learn more, and if you need help reaching the required word count, try using our essay extender—it will automatically add words to your text.

Counting Digital and Written Numbers

The main rules are as follows:

• Digital numbers like 50, 123, or 30,000 are counted as one word.
• In written numbers, each word is counted separately—e.g., “two hundred” is two words.
• Hyphenated numbers like “twenty-five” are treated as one word.

Colleges have different requirements regarding percentages, dates, and time. For example, here are the rules for IELTS essays:

We recommend asking your instructor about how to count such units.