Word Counter
Live word, character, sentence and paragraph counts — plus how long the text takes to read and to say out loud.
How to count words and characters
- Type or paste your text into the box.
- Read the counts below it — they update while you type.
- Press Clear when you are done, or simply close the page. Nothing is saved either way.
As well as the headline word count you get the character count with and without spaces, the number of sentences, paragraphs and lines, the estimated reading and speaking times, and the five words that appear most often.
Why the numbers disagree with your word processor
Word counts differ between tools because the definition of a word is not standardised. This counter treats any run of characters between spaces, tabs or line breaks as one word, which is the simple, predictable rule that suits articles, essays and anything with a stated limit.
Word processors often work differently. Microsoft Word counts hyphenated compounds as one word but some editors split them; both Word and Google Docs treat a number with a decimal point as one word or two depending on context. Character counts are more reliable, which is why forms that enforce a limit usually specify one: a tweet, an SMS segment, a meta description and a database column are all measured in characters, not words.
The two time estimates are worth understanding before you rely on them. Reading time uses about 200 words per minute, a reasonable average for an adult reading English silently; technical or unfamiliar material runs slower. Speaking time uses roughly 130 words per minute, which is a comfortable presentation pace. Both are estimates, and both are far more useful for spotting a problem — a paragraph that will take four minutes to say when you have one — than for predicting a stopwatch to the second.
Word counter FAQ
How is a word counted?
A word is any run of characters separated by spaces, tabs or line breaks. That matches the everyday meaning closely enough for essays and forms, though it also counts hyphenated compounds and numbers as single words.
Are the counts updated as I type?
Yes. The figures refresh a fraction of a second after you stop typing, so they always describe the text currently in the box.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time assumes about 200 words per minute, a common average for adults reading English. Speaking time assumes roughly 130 words per minute, a comfortable pace for a presentation.
Is my text stored or uploaded?
No. The counting happens in your browser and nothing is transmitted or saved. Closing the page discards the text.
Related tools
- Case Converter — fix the capitalisation of the same text.
- Line Sorter and Duplicate Remover — sort and de-duplicate lists.
- Lorem Ipsum Generator — filler text when you need a specific length.
- All text tools — four browser-based utilities.