Word Count to Page Count Calculator
Convert a word count to an estimated page count for essays, reports, and manuscripts — for any common font and line spacing.
What is Word Count to Page Count Calculator?
The word-to-pages calculator is a sanity check for writers: it tells you how many pages a given word count will fill for the common essay and manuscript formats used in U.S. classrooms.
The defaults — Times New Roman 12, double-spaced, 1-inch margins — match the MLA and APA style guides used for most high school and college papers.
Formula
Words per page by common format:
- Times New Roman 12 single: ~500 / 1.5: ~375 / double: ~250
- Arial 12 single: ~470 / 1.5: ~350 / double: ~235
- Calibri 11 single: ~550 / 1.5: ~420 / double: ~280
- Courier New 12 (monospace) double: ~150 — the "manuscript format" used for short fiction submissions
All figures assume 1-inch margins and no chapter breaks, headers, or images.
Worked example
A 1,500-word essay in Times New Roman 12, double-spaced:
- 1,500 ÷ 250 ≈ 6 pages
Same 1,500 words single-spaced: ≈ 3 pages.
How to use this calculator
- Check your assignment's required font and spacing — ask the instructor if unspecified.
- Enter your word count target or current count.
- Use the output to pace your writing, not to pad it.
Frequently asked questions
Why does MLA use Times New Roman 12 double-spaced?
MLA (Modern Language Association) specifies it for consistent grading and annotation space. The "1 page = 250 words" convention dates back to typewriter manuscripts and has stuck as an industry standard.
My essay looks short — can I switch to Arial to fill the page?
Not recommended. Arial at 12 is a hair wider than TNR 12 (~470 vs 500 words/page single) — experienced graders notice. Write more content instead of tweaking typography. Most rubrics require a specific font.
How many pages is a 5,000-word paper?
TNR 12 double: 20 pages. Single: 10 pages. Writers rarely hit these page counts precisely because headings, quotes, and references eat space — round up 5–10%.
What format is used for novel manuscripts?
Standard manuscript format: Courier New or Times New Roman 12, double-spaced, 1-inch margins. That gives about 250 words per page, which is why a 100,000-word novel is conventionally "400 manuscript pages."