I am completely new to Scrivener and I am sorry if this has been answered before, but I couldn’t find it.
How come my project has two word counts, and which one should I go by?
On the ‘Project Targets’ it says that the manuscript has 29,838 words, while on the ‘Project Statistics’ under manuscript it says that I have 30, 378.
Which one is the right one? and how come they’re different?
These can vary (and often will) because they are using different methods for coming up with the number. The Project Statistics counter is generally going to be the most accurate because it actually compiles the document in the background (which is why it takes a moment to come up). The Targets window on the other hand can’t be so smart because it has to work in real-time. It keeps up with you while you type if you leave it open. So that’s your fuzzy figure, use it as such. When you really need to know then call up Statistics.
One thing to note with Statistics is that because it is based off of compile settings it can drastically change. For example if you select Enumerated Outline as your compile preset (which merely creates an indented and numbered outline out of your binder titles), then you’ll end up with a really small statistics, being composed of only the chapter titles! So if that ever looks way off, check your settings. A small discrepancy like the one you posted is to be expected.
Just to further on what Ioa said, the Targets essentially counts the words in the document text as displayed in the editor. So for example, it will always include your inline annotations in the count even if, when you compile, you strip these from your text. The count in Statistics however would not include the annotations since it’s using your actual compile settings to provide the number. If titles are set to be included in compile, these will be added to the count for Statistics but wouldn’t affect the Target count, and so on.