The general guideline is 500 words for a single-spaced page and 250 words for a double-spaced page. However, this is only an approximation.
Factors affecting the word count per page include:
- Spacing: As mentioned, single-spacing allows for roughly twice as many words per page compared to double-spacing.
- Font and Font Size: A larger font or a wider font like Arial will reduce the number of words per page. Common fonts like Times New Roman in size 12 are typically used for standard word counts.
- Margins: Wider margins decrease the available writing space and, therefore, the number of words per page. Standard margins are usually 1 inch on all sides.
- Paragraph Length: Longer paragraphs will visually fill up more space on a page than shorter, more frequent paragraphs, affecting perceived length.
- Document Type: Academic papers, blog posts, and novels all have different formatting norms that can influence word count per page.
Therefore, while 500 (single-spaced) or 250 (double-spaced) words serves as a good starting point, you should always check specific requirements for your document's assignment or publication guidelines to ensure accuracy.
