About the Word Counter
The Word Counter shows live totals for words, characters, characters without spaces, sentences, letters and an estimated reading time. It suits essays with word limits, blog posts, social posts and product descriptions.
Words are counted as groups of characters separated by spaces or line breaks. Reading time assumes about 200 words per minute, a typical pace for adult silent reading, so treat it as a guide.
How to use it
- Type or paste your text into the box.
- Read the totals, which update immediately.
- Use Copy text or Clear when you are done.
Common limits
Many search results show about 155 characters of a description. Tweets and many ads have strict character caps.
Essays, scholarship applications and articles often set word limits, so count before you submit.
For a count that ignores spaces, use the Without spaces figure.
Real-world examples
Essay and application limits. Check a 500-word statement before you submit.
Blog planning. Aim for 1,000 or more words on a guide page, and see your reading time.
Social and ad copy. Combine with the Character Counter for strict limits.
Common mistakes
Different programs count differently: hyphenated words, numbers and URLs can each be treated as one or several words. If a limit is strict, keep a small margin. Pasting text with hidden extra spaces will not change the count, because the tool splits on any whitespace.
How it works
Words are the groups left after trimming the text and splitting on whitespace. Sentences are counted by sequences of full stops, question marks and exclamation marks followed by a space or the end. Reading time is words divided by about 200, the common average for adults reading silently.
Frequently asked questions
How is reading time worked out?
Words divided by 200 words per minute, rounded up.
Is my text stored?
No, it stays in your browser.
Does it count hyphenated words as one?
Yes, because they have no spaces.