Output Overpass query to browser/txt file without pulling data?

I've searched for a bit and can't find answers. Help!! and thanks!

I would like to query Overpass to find the total number of nodes associated with roads within the boundaries of a city - my challenge is to retrieve this number without also pulling the actual data? Another way to state this: I'd like Overpass to give me the number of nodes, but not bog down or result in time-outs, which happens for even small cities. I think this could conserve a lot of bandwidth.

Second question: how could I perform this query together for multiple cities and output as a csv or similar file? Again, without transferring actual data to my browser?

Thank you