The short answer: 500 words per single-spaced page, 250 words per double-spaced page. That's with 12-point Times New Roman, 1-inch margins — the academic standard.
But the real answer depends on your font, font size, margins, and document type. This guide breaks down every variable with reference tables you can bookmark.
What affects words per page
Four variables determine how many words fit on a page:
- Line spacing — the biggest factor. Doubling the line spacing roughly halves your word count.
- Font type — Arial takes up more horizontal space than Times New Roman; Calibri sits between them.
- Font size — going from 12pt to 14pt loses roughly 100 words per page.
- Margins — standard 1-inch margins are the norm for academic writing. Wider margins mean fewer words.
Paragraph frequency also matters. A document full of bullet points and headers will fit fewer words on a page than a solid block of prose.
Words per page by line spacing
The baseline: 12-point Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, standard letter-size page (8.5" × 11").
| Line spacing | Words per page |
|---|---|
| Single-spaced | ~500 words |
| 1.15 spacing (Word default) | ~475 words |
| 1.5 spacing | ~375 words |
| Double-spaced | ~250–275 words |
| Double-spaced (handwritten) | ~150–200 words |
Handwritten pages count lower because handwriting averages roughly twice the size of 12-point type. A handwritten double-spaced page is roughly equivalent to a typed single-spaced page for word density.
How font type affects word count
Most word processors default to a sans-serif font: Microsoft Word uses Calibri, Google Docs uses Arial. Neither is Times New Roman — and that matters when your professor specifies TNR.
At 12pt, double-spaced, 1-inch margins:
| Font | Words per page (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Times New Roman | ~275 words |
| Calibri | ~260 words |
| Arial | ~250 words |
| Georgia | ~250 words |
| Verdana | ~220 words |
| Courier New | ~200 words |
Courier New is a monospaced font — every character takes the same width, like a typewriter. It's the standard for screenplays, and it runs noticeably sparse compared to proportional fonts.
Practical implication: if you've been writing in Arial and need to submit in Times New Roman, switching fonts will likely increase your page count slightly, not decrease it.
How font size affects word count
Font size has a near-linear effect. Every 2-point increase drops approximately 80–100 words per page (single-spaced).
At Times New Roman, single-spaced, 1-inch margins:
| Font size | Words per page (single-spaced) | Words per page (double-spaced) |
|---|---|---|
| 10pt | ~600 words | ~300 words |
| 11pt | ~550 words | ~275 words |
| 12pt | ~500 words | ~250 words |
| 14pt | ~400 words | ~200 words |
Academic standard is 12pt. Both MLA (9th edition) and APA (7th edition) specify 12-point font. Using 11pt to squeeze content onto fewer pages — or 14pt to pad it — is something most instructors notice immediately.
Margin effects
Standard US academic margins are 1 inch on all sides. Changing them shifts your word count:
| Margins | Adjustment to word count |
|---|---|
| 0.5" on all sides | +15–20% more words per page |
| 1" on all sides (standard) | Baseline |
| 1.25" on all sides | −10–12% fewer words per page |
| 1.5" on all sides | −20–25% fewer words per page |
MLA and APA both require 1-inch margins. Chicago/Turabian also defaults to 1 inch. If your assignment specifies a style guide, follow its margin requirements — don't adjust them to hit a page target.
Academic formatting standards
MLA 9th edition
- Font: 12pt, readable serif (Times New Roman recommended)
- Spacing: Double-spaced throughout
- Margins: 1 inch all sides
- Result: ~275 words per page
APA 7th edition
- Font: 12pt Times New Roman, Calibri 11pt, or Arial 11pt
- Spacing: Double-spaced throughout
- Margins: 1 inch all sides
- Result: ~250–275 words per page depending on font
Chicago/Turabian
- Font: 12pt, typically Times New Roman
- Spacing: Double-spaced body text; single-spaced block quotes and footnotes
- Margins: 1 inch all sides
- Result: ~275 words per page (body text)
Why do professors assign word counts instead of page counts? Because page count is manipulable — font, size, and margins are all adjustable. Word count is fixed regardless of how you format. A 1,500-word essay is always 1,500 words, whether it takes 3 pages or 6.
Word count to pages: reference table
Use this table to convert between word count and pages. Assumes 12-point Times New Roman, 1-inch margins.
| Word count | Single-spaced pages | Double-spaced pages |
|---|---|---|
| 250 words | 0.5 pages | 1 page |
| 500 words | 1 page | 2 pages |
| 750 words | 1.5 pages | 3 pages |
| 1,000 words | 2 pages | 4 pages |
| 1,500 words | 3 pages | 6 pages |
| 2,000 words | 4 pages | 8 pages |
| 2,500 words | 5 pages | 10 pages |
| 3,000 words | 6 pages | 12 pages |
| 5,000 words | 10 pages | 20 pages |
| 10,000 words | 20 pages | 40 pages |
Words per page by document type
Different document types follow different formatting conventions — which means different word counts per page.
| Document type | Typical words per page |
|---|---|
| Academic essay (double-spaced, 12pt TNR) | ~250–275 words |
| Business report (single-spaced, 11pt Calibri) | ~400–500 words |
| Novel/manuscript (double-spaced, standard) | ~250 words |
| Paperback book (published) | 250–300 words |
| Screenplay (Courier 12pt, industry format) | ~150–200 words |
| Technical documentation | ~400–500 words |
Screenplays are the outlier. Courier New plus wide margins and scene-heading formatting means roughly one page per minute of screen time — a 90-minute film runs about 90 pages and roughly 15,000–18,000 words.
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a 5-page paper double spaced?
About 1,250 words at the 250 words-per-page standard, or up to 1,375 if your formatting runs slightly higher. Most instructors use 250 as the reference point.
How many pages is 1,000 words double spaced?
Approximately 4 pages (at 250 words per page) with standard academic formatting.
Does Google Docs double spacing match Microsoft Word?
Both produce roughly the same output for the same settings. The main variable is the default font — Word defaults to Calibri 11pt, Docs to Arial 11pt. Both fit slightly fewer words per page than Times New Roman 12pt.
Can I use word count instead of page count for assignments?
If the assignment says "3–5 pages double spaced," that means approximately 750–1,250 words. But always check: some instructors specify both. When in doubt, ask — don't assume.
Is 250 or 275 words the right estimate for a double-spaced page?
Use 250 as a conservative baseline. In practice, standard academic formatting (TNR 12pt, 1-inch margins) produces closer to 265–275 words. The range exists because paragraph breaks, headings, and short sentences add whitespace. If you're padding to hit a page count, your instructor will notice.
The quick answer
For most academic writing:
- Double-spaced: 250–275 words per page
- Single-spaced: 500–550 words per page
If you need to hit a precise count — not an estimate — paste your text into wordscounter.io. Word count appears instantly, no sign-up required. Then format the document to match your assignment's requirements.