FileTally makes one of the products compared here. Competitor facts were checked on October 6, 2026 against the sources linked on this page.
The free method
- Open the folder in File Explorer and switch to Details view.
- Right-click the column headers, choose More, tick Pages and click OK.
- Copy the numbers into Excel and add them up.
Steps from the ILTA tip of the week.
The facts
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | The Pages column is blank for files that don't have a page count, such as text and graphic files | ILTA |
| Scope | The column setting applies to the current folder unless applied to all folders | ILTA |
| Cost | Free, plus staff time | Built into Windows |
Where it falls apart
- Subfolders. You visit every folder yourself.
- Blanks. Images, text files and many other files show nothing, so you open them one by one.
- TIFFs and email. No page count in the column.
- Typos. Every number you retype is a chance to get it wrong, and no one can check the result against the files later.
FileTally, for comparison
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Counts | PDF, Word (DOC, DOCX), Excel (XLS, XLSX, pages estimated from each sheet's used range), PowerPoint (PPT, PPTX), multi-page TIFF, JPG/PNG/BMP, MSG and EML email, TXT; supported files inside ZIPs counted in place | FileTally features |
| Statuses | Pages labeled counted or estimated; files it can't count listed as excluded with the reason | FileTally |
| Exports | CSV for Excel and JSONL for scripts, plus a copyable summary | FileTally |
| Privacy | Counts locally on Windows 10 and 11 and macOS 14 or later. No upload, no account | FileTally security |
| Price | $24.99 once ($14.99 launch price through Nov 30, 2026), all your computers, updates included, 7-day trial from first scan | FileTally licensing |
Use the manual method when
- You have a handful of Word files in one folder.
- The number is for your own reference.
- There is no budget at all.
Use FileTally when
- The folder has subfolders, PDFs, TIFFs or email.
- Someone else will rely on the number.
- Your time costs more than $24.99.
Step by step: count pages in multiple Word documents. Back to all comparisons.
Questions people ask
Is there a free way to count pages in many files?
Yes. In File Explorer, use Details view, add the Pages column and copy the numbers into Excel. It works for files that store a page count, one folder at a time.
Why is the Pages column blank for some files?
The column shows a page count stored in the file's properties. Files that don't store one, such as text files and images, show a blank value.
When is a paid page counter worth it?
When folders have subfolders or mixed formats, or when someone else will rely on the number. FileTally costs $24.99 once ($14.99 launch price through November 30, 2026) and produces a per-file export you can check.
Can FileTally count pages in Word files that show blank in Explorer?
Yes. FileTally estimates Word pages from the document body text on a standard page, without Microsoft Office, and labels each result Estimated.