Word Counter

How to count words

1. Type your text in the box, or paste it from another place.
2. The counts update as you type. You do not press a button.
3. Read the boxes for words, characters, sentences, paragraphs, and reading time.
4. Edit your text until the count fits what you need.

Why word and character limits matter

Many forms set a hard limit. A college essay may cap you at 650 words. A Twitter or X post stops at 280 characters. A meta description for a web page should stay near 155 characters so Google does not cut it off. A job site may ask for a cover letter under 4,000 characters, spaces included. This tool shows both the word count and two character counts, so you can match the exact rule the form gives you.

Words versus characters

Some limits count words. Others count characters, and they may or may not count the spaces. That is why this tool shows characters with spaces and characters without spaces as two separate numbers. A tweet counts every space. A database field often counts characters, not words. Check which one your form uses before you trim.

How the counts are worked out

A word is any run of letters or numbers with no space inside it. So "e-mail" counts as one word, and "12:30" counts as one word. A sentence ends at a period, question mark, or exclamation mark. A paragraph is a block of text with a blank line around it. Reading time uses 200 words per minute, which is a common adult reading speed. These rules are simple on purpose, so the count stays fast and matches what most forms expect.

FAQ

Is my text sent anywhere?

No. The counting runs in your browser with JavaScript. Your text never leaves your device and nothing is saved. You can close the page and it is gone.

Does it count spaces as characters?

The tool shows two character counts. One includes spaces and the other does not. Pick the one your form asks for.

How is reading time worked out?

It divides your word count by 200 words per minute and rounds to the nearest minute. Any text at all shows at least one minute.

Can I count words in a different language?

Yes. Any language that uses spaces between words counts the same way. Languages with no spaces, such as Chinese, will show a low word count but a correct character count.

Is there a limit on how much text I can paste?

No. Because the work happens on your device, you can paste a whole book. Very large text may take a moment to count on an older phone.

How many words is one page?

About 500 words per page single spaced, or 250 double spaced, with normal fonts and margins. So a 2,000 word essay runs around four pages. The counter updates as you type, which makes it a live word count checker: you always know how many words you have left.