In this article, we're going to show you how to create a system-wide service that enables you to get an immediate word count and character count in TextEdit, Safari, Mail, or indeed any app on your Mac that lets you highlight text. It offers a handy home-made solution if you often find yourself pasting into a blank Word or Pages document for no other reason than to find out how many words are in a text selection.

word count automator service 2
The steps below will guide you through the process of creating your own word count service using the macOS Automator app. It's a simple procedure to follow and should only take five minutes, but if you'd rather use a third-party solution, then check out WordCounter, a free Mac menu bar utility from Onekerato.

How to Create a Word Count Service in Automator

  1. Launch Automator from the Applications folder.
    1 Automator

  2. Click New Document.

  3. Choose Service as the type of your document.
    2 Automator document type

  4. Type "run" into the Library search field at the top of the Automator sidebar, then drag the Run Shell Script action into the empty workflow area.
    automator drag shell script

  5. In the Run Shell Script action window, change the Pass Input: option to as arguments using the dropdown menu.
    automator run shell script

  6. Clear the text in the shell script box (highlight the text with your mouse cursor and hit Backspace) then copy and paste the following text into the same area:

    echo Words:

    echo $1 | wc -w

    echo Characters including spaces:

    echo $1 | wc -c
    automator word count script

  7. Clear the Library search field at the top of the Automator sidebar and type "set value", then drag the Set Value of Variable action into the workflow area.
    automator set value of variable

  8. Click the Variable: dropdown menu and select New Variable....

  9. In the blue dialog that appears, click inside the Name: input field. It may default to "storage", but you can rename it – we'll call it "count". Click Done, and you should now see "count" (or whichever name you used) appear in the variable list below the workflow area.
    automator variable name

  10. Clear the Library search field at the top of the Automator sidebar again, and this time type "ask", then drag the Ask for Confirmation action into the workflow area.
    drag ask for confirm

  11. Now, drag your "count" variable from the variable list up to the "Message" title in the Ask for Confirmation action.
    drag count variable

  12. In the Automator menu bar, select File -> Save..., call your new service "Word Count", and click Save.

Next time you want to get a word count and/or character count for some text you've highlighted, simply right-click (or Ctrl-click) on the text and select Services -> Word Count from the contextual dropdown menu.

word count
You can assign a key shortcut to it for even faster access. To do so, launch System Preferences, select the Keyboard pane, and click the Shortcuts tab. Select Services from the sidebar and you should find Word Count near the bottom of the list. Just click it, select Add Shortcut, and finally, enter your custom key combination.

word count shortcut

Top Rated Comments

TheralSadurns Avatar
91 months ago
Srsly guys... I don't think I'll need this. But you rock! Keep these guides and tutorials coming!!! They are MUCH appreciated!
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H2SO4 Avatar
91 months ago
Srsly guys... I don't think I'll need this. But you rock! Keep these guides and tutorials coming!!! They are MUCH appreciated!
Was gonna say exactly this till I saw your post. Reminds me of MacOXSHints.
[doublepost=1526030048][/doublepost]
Or get WordService for free from the App Store to give you text stats and so much more:
https://itunes.apple.com/app/wordservice/id899972312?mt=12
Maybe but this also teaches you stuff.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IJ Reilly Avatar
91 months ago
Or get WordService for free from the App Store to give you text stats and so much more:
https://itunes.apple.com/app/wordservice/id899972312?mt=12
Beat me to it. I've used this indispensable collection of services for over 15 years. Can also be downloaded here:

https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/10523/wordservice
[doublepost=1526061714][/doublepost]
Maybe but this also teaches you stuff.
I learned that I don't have to do it myself. ;)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fairuz Avatar
91 months ago
Automator is one of the many amazing productivity features in macOS that few know about. It's saved me so much time.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mingravity Avatar
91 months ago
Srsly guys... I don't think I'll need this. But you rock! Keep these guides and tutorials coming!!! They are MUCH appreciated!
absolutely !! very useful read
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MauiPa Avatar
91 months ago
Interesting, but all the text and code editors I use these days already have word and character counters built-in. Also, as stop-hammertime mentioned, if terminal commands aren't filtered, this script could execute code with unintended, or even dire consequences.
Padawan, perhaps it is the journey and not the destination.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
CarPlay Hero

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles." If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
maxresdefault

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and ...
iOS 19 Roundup Feature

iOS 19 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday April 15, 2025 7:37 am PDT by
The first iOS 19 beta is less than two months away, and there are already a handful of new features that are expected with the update. Apple should release the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key...
tvOS 18 Thumb 1

Apple Releases tvOS 18.4.1

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:04 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 18.4.1, a minor update to the tvOS 18 operating system that came out last September. tvOS 18.4.1 comes two weeks after Apple released tvOS 18.4, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models. tvOS 18.4.1 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software....
top stories 2025 04 19

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, CarPlay Bug Fix, and More

Saturday April 19, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
This week saw rumor updates on the iPhone 17 Pro and next-generation Vision Pro, while a minor iOS 18.4.1 update delivered not just security fixes but also a fix for some CarPlay issues. We also looked ahead at what else is in Apple's pipeline for the rest of 2025 and even the 20th-anniversary iPhone coming in 2027, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! iPhone 17 ...
Apple TV Plus Feature 2 Magenta and Blue

Apple TV+ Available at Significantly Lower Price Until Next Week

Friday April 18, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
Apple TV+ is currently available at a much lower price than usual, but time is running out if you want to take advantage of the offer. In the U.S., new and qualified returning customers can subscribe to Apple TV+ for just $2.99 per month, for three months. Afterwards, regular pricing of $9.99 per month applies. The offer is available in the Apple TV app, and at tv.apple.com, through April...