diff --git a/lib/ash/actions/read/read.ex b/lib/ash/actions/read/read.ex
index 7d238526..149da97e 100644
--- a/lib/ash/actions/read/read.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/actions/read/read.ex
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ defmodule Ash.Actions.Read do
   @moduledoc false
 
   alias Ash.Actions.Helpers
-  alias Ash.Error.Invalid.{LimitRequired, PaginationRequired}
+  alias Ash.Error.Invalid.{LimitRequired, NonCountableAction, PaginationRequired}
   alias Ash.Filter
 
   require Logger
@@ -2367,6 +2367,10 @@ defmodule Ash.Actions.Read do
           {:ok, starting_query}
         end
 
+      page_opts[:count] == true && !action.pagination.countable ->
+        {:error,
+         NonCountableAction.exception(resource: starting_query.resource, action: action.name)}
+
       page_opts[:limit] ->
         page_opts =
           Keyword.put(
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/action/invalid_argument.ex b/lib/ash/error/action/invalid_argument.ex
index d4e35b45..f4502211 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/action/invalid_argument.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/action/invalid_argument.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Action.InvalidArgument do
   @moduledoc "Used when an invalid value is provided for an action argument"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:field, :message, :value], class: :invalid
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/changes/action_requires_actor.ex b/lib/ash/error/changes/action_requires_actor.ex
index 6ddf53a9..1d5e9431 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/changes/action_requires_actor.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/changes/action_requires_actor.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Changes.ActionRequiresActor do
   @moduledoc "Used when an actor is referenced in a filter template, but no actor exists"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [], class: :invalid
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_argument.ex b/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_argument.ex
index a515983d..6e795f79 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_argument.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_argument.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Changes.InvalidArgument do
   @moduledoc "Used when an invalid value is provided for an action argument"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:field, :message, :value], class: :invalid
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_attribute.ex b/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_attribute.ex
index f36a7ddd..3f2446ef 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_attribute.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_attribute.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Changes.InvalidAttribute do
   @moduledoc "Used when an invalid value is provided for an attribute change"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:field, :message, :private_vars, :value], class: :invalid
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_changes.ex b/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_changes.ex
index c8dced32..32710dac 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_changes.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_changes.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Changes.InvalidChanges do
   @moduledoc "Used when a change is provided that covers multiple attributes/relationships"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:fields, :message, :validation, :value], class: :invalid
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_relationship.ex b/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_relationship.ex
index 3946da71..3fabc8f9 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_relationship.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/changes/invalid_relationship.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Changes.InvalidRelationship do
   @moduledoc "Used when an invalid value is provided for a relationship change"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:relationship, :message], class: :invalid
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/changes/no_such_attribute.ex b/lib/ash/error/changes/no_such_attribute.ex
index 1c06ea5f..e272695d 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/changes/no_such_attribute.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/changes/no_such_attribute.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Changes.NoSuchAttribute do
   @moduledoc "Used when a change is provided for an attribute that does not exist"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:resource, :attribute], class: :invalid
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/changes/no_such_relationship.ex b/lib/ash/error/changes/no_such_relationship.ex
index 5401f2ca..5da3b1c7 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/changes/no_such_relationship.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/changes/no_such_relationship.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Changes.NoSuchRelationship do
   @moduledoc "Used when a change is provided for an relationship that does not exist"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:resource, :relationship], class: :invalid
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/changes/required.ex b/lib/ash/error/changes/required.ex
index c42e8d22..ef0b0d40 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/changes/required.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/changes/required.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Changes.Required do
   @moduledoc "Used when an attribute or relationship is required"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:field, :type, :resource], class: :invalid
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/changes/stale_record.ex b/lib/ash/error/changes/stale_record.ex
index fe1112be..76bec4ee 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/changes/stale_record.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/changes/stale_record.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Changes.StaleRecord do
   @moduledoc "Used when a stale record is attempted to be updated or deleted"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:resource, :filter], class: :invalid
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/cannot_filter_creates.ex b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/cannot_filter_creates.ex
index 4c696df8..53dfcb6f 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/cannot_filter_creates.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/cannot_filter_creates.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Forbidden.CannotFilterCreates do
   @moduledoc "Used when a create action would be filtered"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [], class: :forbidden
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/domain_requires_actor.ex b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/domain_requires_actor.ex
index c2afb9ef..f869a47c 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/domain_requires_actor.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/domain_requires_actor.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Forbidden.DomainRequiresActor do
   @moduledoc "Used when a domain that has `require_actor? true` is provided no actor"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:domain], class: :forbidden
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/domain_requires_authorization.ex b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/domain_requires_authorization.ex
index b8cc5164..c230eb74 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/domain_requires_authorization.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/domain_requires_authorization.ex
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Forbidden.DomainRequiresAuthorization do
   @moduledoc "Used when a domain that has `authorize :always` is provided authorize?: false"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:domain], class: :forbidden
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/forbidden_field.ex b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/forbidden_field.ex
index 7791ab4e..d781f181 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/forbidden_field.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/forbidden_field.ex
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ defmodule Ash.Error.Forbidden.ForbiddenField do
   @moduledoc "Raised in cases where access to a specific field was prevented"
 
   require Logger
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
 
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:resource, :field], class: :forbidden
 
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/initial_data_required.ex b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/initial_data_required.ex
index bdb3ad4c..62011108 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/initial_data_required.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/initial_data_required.ex
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Forbidden.InitialDataRequired do
-  @moduledoc "Used when "
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
-
+  @moduledoc "Used when initial data was not supplied when it was required"
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:source], class: :forbidden
 
   def message(%{source: source}) do
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/must_pass_strict_check.ex b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/must_pass_strict_check.ex
index d3218f54..15a9cf4c 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/must_pass_strict_check.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/must_pass_strict_check.ex
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Forbidden.MustPassStrictCheck do
   @moduledoc "Used when unreachable code/conditions are reached in the framework"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
-
   use Splode.Error, fields: [], class: :forbidden
 
   def message(_) do
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/placeholder.ex b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/placeholder.ex
index a25a4f14..7e6412fe 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/forbidden/placeholder.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/forbidden/placeholder.ex
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Forbidden.Placeholder do
   @moduledoc "A placeholder exception that the user should never see"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
-
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:authorizer], class: :forbidden
 
   def from_json(%{"authorizer" => authorizer}) do
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/framework/assumption_failed.ex b/lib/ash/error/framework/assumption_failed.ex
index 6b68edc3..a34bd5c0 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/framework/assumption_failed.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/framework/assumption_failed.ex
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Framework.AssumptionFailed do
   @moduledoc "Used when unreachable code/conditions are reached in the framework"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
-
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:message], class: :framework
 
   def message(%{message: message}) do
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/framework/can_not_be_atomic.ex b/lib/ash/error/framework/can_not_be_atomic.ex
index db1156d1..7d295c3d 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/framework/can_not_be_atomic.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/framework/can_not_be_atomic.ex
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Framework.CanNotBeAtomic do
   @moduledoc "Used when a change that is only atomic cannot be done atomically"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
-
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:resource, :change, :reason], class: :framework
 
   def message(error) do
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/framework/flag_assertion_failed.ex b/lib/ash/error/framework/flag_assertion_failed.ex
index b9e96339..e2a42b56 100644
--- a/lib/ash/error/framework/flag_assertion_failed.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/error/framework/flag_assertion_failed.ex
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 defmodule Ash.Error.Framework.FlagAssertionFailed do
   @moduledoc "Used when unreachable code/conditions are reached in the framework"
-  use Ash.Error.Exception
-
   use Splode.Error, fields: [:flag, :heading], class: :framework
 
   def message(error) do
diff --git a/lib/ash/error/invalid/non_countable_action.ex b/lib/ash/error/invalid/non_countable_action.ex
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8f4d568b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/ash/error/invalid/non_countable_action.ex
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+defmodule Ash.Error.Invalid.NonCountableAction do
+  @moduledoc "Used when page[:count] option is passed but the action's pagination is not countable."
+  use Splode.Error, fields: [:resource, :action], class: :invalid
+
+  def message(%{resource: resource, action: action}) do
+    "Action #{inspect(resource)}.#{action} cannot be counted while paginating but a count was requested."
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/ash/resource/actions/read.ex b/lib/ash/resource/actions/read.ex
index 873e3fa9..32917c9f 100644
--- a/lib/ash/resource/actions/read.ex
+++ b/lib/ash/resource/actions/read.ex
@@ -109,11 +109,12 @@ defmodule Ash.Resource.Actions.Read do
       type: :pos_integer,
       doc: "The default page size to apply, if one is not supplied"
     ],
+    # Change this default in 4.0
     countable: [
       type: {:in, [true, false, :by_default]},
       doc:
         "Whether not a returned page will have a full count of all records. Use `:by_default` to do it automatically.",
-      default: false
+      default: true
     ],
     max_page_size: [
       type: :pos_integer,
diff --git a/test/count_test.exs b/test/count_test.exs
index a37e34ea..6428e167 100644
--- a/test/count_test.exs
+++ b/test/count_test.exs
@@ -21,6 +21,14 @@ defmodule Ash.Test.CountTest do
           default_limit 5
         end
       end
+
+      read :non_countable do
+        pagination do
+          offset? true
+          default_limit 5
+          countable false
+        end
+      end
     end
 
     ets do
@@ -77,4 +85,14 @@ defmodule Ash.Test.CountTest do
 
     assert count == 10
   end
+
+  test "trying to count a non-countable action is invalid" do
+    assert_raise Ash.Error.Invalid,
+                 ~r/cannot be counted while paginating/,
+                 fn ->
+                   Countable
+                   |> Ash.Query.for_read(:non_countable)
+                   |> Ash.read!(actor: %{id: "foo"}, page: [count: true])
+                 end
+  end
 end