# Does Word Count Include References and Citations?

> The reference list or bibliography almost never counts toward the word limit, but in-text citations, quotations and headings usually do. Footnotes, tables and appendices vary. The deciding authority is always the brief, handbook or journal guide.

- URL: https://wordcounter.pk/guides/does-word-count-include-references-and-citations/
- Type: Guide
- Updated: 2026-10-15

**Short answer:** Usually excluded: title page, abstract (sometimes), reference list, bibliography and appendices. Usually included: body text, headings, quotations and in-text citations. Footnotes and tables vary, so check your instructions.

## The usual conventions

| Element | Typically counted? | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Main body text | Yes |  |
| Headings and subheadings | Yes | Some courses exclude them |
| Direct quotations | Yes | Long block quotes count too |
| In-text citations, e.g. (Khan, 2020) | Yes | Footnote-style citations may not |
| Footnotes and endnotes | Varies | Content footnotes often count; check |
| Reference list or bibliography | No |  |
| Title page and table of contents | No |  |
| Abstract | Varies | Often excluded in theses, counted in some assignments |
| Appendices | No | Usually; if they contain analysis they may count |
| Tables and figures | Varies | Captions often count; table contents often do not |

This table is a guide to common practice. It is not a rule; ask your tutor or follow the handbook.

## Citation styles and word counts

Author–date styles such as APA and Harvard put citations inside the text, so they add to the count. Numbered or footnote styles such as Vancouver and Chicago notes put citations outside the main text, so the body count is lower. If you can choose a style, the word-count rule may still apply uniformly; do not rely on the style to cut words.

## How to measure what counts

In Word and Google Docs, select the portion that counts, from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion, and read the count for the selection; see [How to Count Words in Microsoft Word](https://wordcounter.pk/guides/how-to-count-words-in-microsoft-word/) and [How to Count Words in Google Docs](https://wordcounter.pk/guides/how-to-count-words-in-google-docs/). Or paste only that portion into the [Word Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/). For a section-by-section breakdown, use # headings in the [Thesis Word Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/thesis-word-counter/).

## The 10 percent rule

Many institutions tolerate a 10 percent overrun without penalty; others apply none. Beyond the margin, marks are deducted or excess text is not marked. Never pad to the upper end; aim for the target and use the margin as a safety buffer. Ask in writing if the instruction is ambiguous, and keep the reply.

## Journals and applications

Journals publish their own rules: main text only, sometimes including figure legends, with the abstract and references separate; see the [Research Paper Word Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/research-paper-word-counter/) and [Abstract Word Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/abstract-word-counter/). Application systems for personal statements may count characters; see the [Personal Statement Word Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/personal-statement-word-counter/). When the portal shows its own count, that is the number that matters.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do footnotes count in the word limit?

It depends. Many courses count explanatory footnotes but not citations.

### Does the title count?

Normally not.

### Do quotes count?

Yes.

### What if the brief does not say?

Ask. If you cannot, count body text, headings and quotations, and exclude the reference list.

## Related

- [How Many Words in an Essay?](https://wordcounter.pk/guides/how-many-words-in-an-essay/index.md): Typical essay lengths from school to postgraduate, with structure advice.
- [How to Reduce Word Count](https://wordcounter.pk/guides/how-to-reduce-word-count/index.md): Twelve practical ways to cut words and keep meaning, with examples.
- [Essay Word Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/essay-word-counter/index.md): Track essay length against a target range, with paragraph and structure checks.
- [Assignment Word Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/assignment-word-counter/index.md): Track assignment word limits with the standard 10% margin.
- [Thesis Word Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/thesis-word-counter/index.md): Track thesis chapter and total word counts; words per heading included.
- [What Is a Word Counter?](https://wordcounter.pk/guides/what-is-a-word-counter/index.md): Definition, how a word counter works and the units it measures.
- [How Word Count Is Calculated](https://wordcounter.pk/guides/how-word-count-is-calculated/index.md): The step-by-step logic behind word counts, with edge-case examples.
- [What Counts as One Word](https://wordcounter.pk/guides/what-counts-as-one-word/index.md): Quick-reference rules for contractions, hyphens, numbers, URLs and symbols.

## Images

- ![Does Word Count Include References and Citations?: What is and is not usually counted: references, citations, footnotes, quotes. (WordCounter.pk cover graphic)](https://wordcounter.pk/img/does-word-count-include-references-and-citations/does-word-count-include-references-and-citations-cover-1200.webp)
- ![What this guide covers: The usual conventions; Citation styles and word counts; How to measure what counts](https://wordcounter.pk/img/does-word-count-include-references-and-citations/does-word-count-include-references-and-citations-how-it-works-1200.webp)
- ![The usual conventions: Does Word Count Include…: reference table with columns Element, Typically counted?, Notes](https://wordcounter.pk/img/does-word-count-include-references-and-citations/does-word-count-include-references-and-citations-reference-1200.webp)
- ![Map showing how Does Word Count Include References and Citations? connects to Writing Guides, How Many Words in an Essay?, How to Reduce Word Count, Essay Word Counter and more on WordCounter.pk](https://wordcounter.pk/img/does-word-count-include-references-and-citations/does-word-count-include-references-and-citations-related-tools-map-1200.webp)
- ![Quick answer card: Do footnotes count in the word limit? It depends. Many courses count explanatory footnotes but not citations.](https://wordcounter.pk/img/does-word-count-include-references-and-citations/does-word-count-include-references-and-citations-quick-answer-1200.webp)