A typical double-spaced page holds about 250 words, and a single-spaced page about 500 words (12 pt, standard margins). So 1,000 words is roughly 4 pages double-spaced or 2 pages single-spaced. Font, spacing, and margins shift the exact number — paste your text into a word counter when you need to hit a precise target.
"How many words per page?" sounds like it should have one answer, but it depends on a handful of formatting choices. This guide gives you reliable estimates for the most common setups, a quick conversion table, and the fastest way to hit an exact word count.
The Short Answer
For a standard document — 12 pt Times New Roman or Arial, 1-inch margins — the rule of thumb is:
- Double-spaced: ~250 words per page
- Single-spaced: ~500 words per page
Most schools and publishers assume double spacing, so 250 words per page is the number most people actually need.
Words-to-Pages Conversion Table
Use this table to convert a word count into an approximate page count.
| Word count | Single-spaced | Double-spaced |
|---|---|---|
| 250 words | ½ page | 1 page |
| 500 words | 1 page | 2 pages |
| 750 words | 1½ 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 |
| 5,000 words | 10 pages | 20 pages |
| 10,000 words | 20 pages | 40 pages |
These are estimates for body text. Headings, block quotes, images, and white space will reduce the words that fit on a real page.
What Changes the Words Per Page
Four formatting choices move the number more than anything else.
Font and font size
A 12 pt font is the academic standard. Bumping to 14 pt can drop a double-spaced page from ~250 words to ~180. Font family matters too: Times New Roman is more compact than Arial or Verdana at the same point size.
Line spacing
This is the biggest lever. Going from single (≈500/page) to 1.5 spacing (≈375/page) to double (≈250/page) roughly halves how much fits as you loosen it.
Margins
The default 1-inch margin is assumed by most style guides. Widening margins to 1.5 inches noticeably cuts words per page; narrowing them packs more in.
Paragraphing and structure
Lots of short paragraphs, dialogue, bullet lists, and subheadings create white space and reduce the effective words per page — which is why a novel page and an essay page rarely match.
Page counts are estimates — word counts are exact
If an assignment or brief specifies a number of pages, your reader almost always cares about the underlying word count. When the target matters, count words rather than trusting page numbers.
Words Per Page by Document Type
Different formats have their own conventions:
- Academic essays — Double-spaced, 12 pt, so plan on ~250 words per page. A "5-page essay" means roughly 1,250 words.
- Books and novels — Printed pages are smaller than letter paper and hold about 250–300 words per page. A 90,000-word novel prints to roughly 300–360 pages.
- Business reports — Usually single-spaced, so ~500 words per page, often fewer once you add charts and headings.
- Manuscripts for submission — Agents expect double-spaced 12 pt Courier or Times, giving the standard ~250 words per page.
How to Hit an Exact Word or Page Target
If you have been given a hard limit, do not eyeball it:
- Write freely first; edit for length second.
- Paste your draft into our free Word Counter to see the exact word, character, and sentence count instantly.
- Convert using the table above to confirm you are in range.
- Tighten by cutting filler words and redundant sentences — see why word count matters for blog posts for practical editing tips.
If you are working to a character limit instead — common on social media, meta descriptions, and form fields — our Character Counter and our guide to character limits on every platform will help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words is one page?
About 250 words double-spaced or 500 words single-spaced, using a 12 pt font and 1-inch margins. Books print closer to 250–300 words per page because the pages are smaller.
How many pages is 1,000 words?
Roughly 4 pages double-spaced or 2 pages single-spaced at 12 pt with standard margins.
How many pages is 500 words?
About 2 pages double-spaced or 1 page single-spaced.
How many words is a 5-page paper?
For a standard double-spaced essay, about 1,250 words. If single-spaced, closer to 2,500 words.
Why does my page count not match the calculator?
Headings, images, block quotes, dialogue, and white space all reduce how many body words fit on a real page. Conversion tables assume continuous paragraph text, so expect some variation.
Conclusion
For most documents, remember 250 words per double-spaced page and 500 per single-spaced page — then adjust for font, spacing, and margins. When the target really matters, count the words directly rather than trusting page estimates.
Next step: paste your draft into our free Word Counter to get an exact count in seconds.