How do I get the most accurate word count?

To get an accurate word count, please open your manuscript in Microsoft Word and delete any portions of the paper that do not require editing. If you include a letter responding to your reviewers, you can remove all of the reviewers' comments. In the primary manuscript, you can also remove any numeric table data. Additionally, since we do not edit or translate the reference list you do not need to include it in the word count. After removing all these elements of your paper, use the Word Count Feature in Microsoft Word to perform a word count on the remaining text. Please calculate the word count on every file you plan to submit to us and add it all together to determine your final word count. If you would like our support staff to perform a word count for you, please contact our support staff with your files.