Yes, word count is the key. Pages can change based on format: e-book vs. paperback vs. hardcover.
I just did a word count for my novel. As of today, I’m up to seven words. Here’s what I’ve got so far:
It was a dark and stormy night.
(Just kidding, of course.)
———-
For those who don’t recognize that phrase, yes I stole it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_was_a_dark_and_stormy_night