How Many Words Per Page? Complete Formatting Guide

"How many words is a page?" — I get asked this constantly. And the frustrating truth is: it depends. Font, spacing, margins... they all change the math. But after years of writing and formatting documents, I've got the numbers memorized. Let me save you the headache.

Here's everything you need to know about converting words to pages, with real numbers for every common scenario.

Words Per Page Overview

Here are the rules of thumb I use constantly:

• Single-spaced: Approximately 500 words per page
• Double-spaced: Approximately 250 words per page
• 1.5 spacing: Approximately 350 words per page

These estimates assume standard formatting: 12-point font (typically Times New Roman or Arial) and 1-inch margins on all sides. The actual count can vary by 10-15% depending on your specific settings and the nature of your text.

Single-Spaced Pages: 500 Words

Single-spaced documents pack the most content per page, making them ideal for business reports, professional documents, and manuscripts. With standard formatting, you can expect:

Single spacing is commonly used in:

• Business letters and memos
• Professional reports
• Technical documentation
• Manuscript submissions (after acceptance)
• Web content drafts

Double-Spaced Pages: 250 Words

Double spacing is the standard for academic writing, providing room for editing marks and easier readability. Here's the conversion:

Double spacing is required for:

• College and university essays
• Research papers and dissertations
• Manuscript submissions to publishers
• APA, MLA, and Chicago style papers
• Thesis and dissertation documents

Font Size Impact on Words Per Page

Font size dramatically affects how many words fit on a page. Here's a comparison using single-spaced text:

Font type also matters. Some fonts naturally take up more space than others:

• Times New Roman: Compact, fits more words per page
• Arial: Slightly larger, fewer words per page
• Calibri: Similar to Arial, modern default in Word
• Georgia: Wider characters, reduces words per page by about 10%
• Verdana: Very wide, can reduce word count by 15-20%

Margin Settings and Their Effect

Margins define the white space around your text and significantly impact words per page. Here's how different margin settings compare (using 12pt font, double-spaced):

Important: Never manipulate margins to artificially increase or decrease page count for academic assignments. Instructors can easily spot this, and it may result in penalties.

Academic Paper Standards

Different academic style guides have specific formatting requirements. Here's what you need to know:

APA Style (7th Edition)

• Font: 12pt Times New Roman, 11pt Arial, or 11pt Calibri
• Spacing: Double-spaced throughout
• Margins: 1 inch on all sides
• Result: Approximately 250 words per page

MLA Style (9th Edition)

• Font: 12pt Times New Roman or similar readable font
• Spacing: Double-spaced throughout
• Margins: 1 inch on all sides
• Result: Approximately 250 words per page

Chicago/Turabian Style

• Font: 12pt Times New Roman or similar
• Spacing: Double-spaced (notes may be single-spaced)
• Margins: 1 inch minimum
• Result: Approximately 250 words per page

For comprehensive guidance on essay lengths by academic level, check out our Essay Word Count Guide.

Quick Reference: Words to Pages Calculator

Use this comprehensive table to quickly convert between word counts and page numbers:

Frequently Asked Questions

How many words are on a single-spaced page?

A single-spaced page contains approximately 500 words when using standard formatting (12pt font, 1-inch margins). This can range from 450-550 words depending on the specific font type and whether your text includes many short paragraphs or dialogue.

How many words are on a double-spaced page?

A double-spaced page contains approximately 250 words with standard academic formatting (12pt Times New Roman, 1-inch margins). This is the standard expected for most college essays and research papers.

Does font size affect words per page?

Yes, font size significantly affects words per page. Decreasing from 12pt to 10pt can add roughly 100 more words per page single-spaced. Conversely, increasing to 14pt reduces the count by about 100 words. Always verify requirements before changing font sizes.

How many pages is 1,000 words?

1,000 words equals approximately 4 pages double-spaced or 2 pages single-spaced with standard formatting. This is a common length for short essays, blog posts, and homework assignments.

What is the standard formatting for academic papers?

Standard academic formatting typically requires 12pt Times New Roman font, double spacing, and 1-inch margins on all sides. This yields approximately 250 words per page. Always check specific style guide requirements (APA, MLA, Chicago) for your assignment.

How do I convert pages to words?

Multiply the number of pages by 250 for double-spaced documents or 500 for single-spaced. For example, a 5-page double-spaced essay is approximately 1,250 words (5 x 250), while 5 pages single-spaced is about 2,500 words (5 x 500).