Word Counter for Lawyers
Court filings, briefs and legal documents have strict word and page limits. Exceeding them can result in rejection. This free word counter helps you stay within court rules and filing requirements.
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US Supreme Court briefs are limited to 15,000 words for opening briefs and 9,000 words for reply briefs. Federal Court of Appeals briefs are limited to 13,000 words. Always check the specific court's local rules.
Word Count Reference for Lawyers
| Legal Document | Typical Word Limit |
|---|---|
| US Supreme Court opening brief | 15,000 words |
| US Supreme Court reply brief | 9,000 words |
| Federal Court of Appeals brief | 13,000 words |
| Federal reply brief | 6,500 words |
| Certiorari petition | 9,000 words |
| Contract (simple) | 1,000-3,000 words |
| Contract (commercial) | 5,000-20,000 words |
Tips for Lawyers
- →Always verify the specific court's local rules as word limits vary by jurisdiction and court level
- →Most court word counts exclude footnotes, certificates of compliance and table of contents
- →Use the word counter to check your brief against limits before finalizing
- →FRCP Rule 7 motions in federal district courts are typically limited to 10 pages or 3,500 words
- →Track character counts as some jurisdictions use character limits not word limits for certain filings
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the table of contents count in a legal brief word limit?
Under FRAP Rule 32, the table of contents, table of citations, disclosure statement, statement of the case, and certificates are excluded from word counts. Always check local rules.
How long should a legal contract be?
A simple services contract is 1,000 to 3,000 words. A commercial lease is 5,000 to 15,000 words. An employment agreement is 3,000 to 8,000 words. Length should match complexity of the transaction.
Are footnotes counted in legal brief word limits?
Under federal rules, footnotes count toward the word limit. Some local rules exclude footnotes. Check the specific court's local rules as they vary significantly.
What is the word limit for a motion to dismiss?
In federal district courts, most motions are limited to 25 pages or approximately 7,000 words under local rules. Some courts limit supporting briefs to 10 pages or 3,500 words. Check local rules for your district.
How do I count words in a PDF legal document?
Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat, go to File then Properties then Description to see word count. Alternatively copy the text and paste into our free word counter for an instant count.