Word Counter
Paste or type your text and watch the word count update as you go, along with characters, sentences, paragraphs and an estimated reading time. A free word counter for essays, articles, posts and anything with a length target.
Count the words in any text and watch the number change as you type or paste. This free word counter also gives you a character count, sentence and paragraph totals, and an estimated reading time, so you can check an essay word count or read a word and character count online in one place. Paste a draft, an article or a caption and read the totals instantly. Nothing is uploaded, so even a long document counts on your own device.
- No sign-up, ever
- 100% free
- Nothing uploaded
- Works offline after first load
- No limits, no email wall
How to use it
- 1
Paste your text
Type directly or paste from a doc, email or browser. The count updates with every keystroke.
- 2
Read the numbers
See words, characters, sentences, paragraphs and reading time side by side, always current.
- 3
Edit to your target
Trim or expand until you hit the word count an assignment, brief or platform asks for.
When it comes in handy
Essays and assignments
Hit a "1,500 word" requirement without guessing, and keep an eye on the count as you draft.
Articles and posts
Match an editor or platform word target, and use reading time to gauge how long a piece feels.
Applications
Stay inside the word limit on a cover letter, personal statement or grant box.
Instant & 100% private — nothing is uploaded
Every keystroke is handled right here in your browser. Your text is never sent to a server, so there is no sign-up, no email wall, and no length cap from us. Load the page once and it keeps working even if you go offline.
Frequently asked questions
- How is a word counted?
- A word is any run of characters separated by spaces or line breaks, which is the same way a typical document counts them. Punctuation attached to a word, like a comma or full stop, does not start a new word, so the total matches what you would expect from a word processor.
- How long does 500 words take to read?
- Reading time is estimated from the word count using an average adult reading speed of around 200 to 250 words a minute. So 500 words at about 240 words a minute is roughly two minutes, and a 1,500 word essay is around six. It is a guide rather than a stopwatch: dense text reads slower and a light list reads faster.
- Does it count as I type?
- Yes. The numbers update live with every keystroke and every paste, so you never have to press a button to recount. Edit freely and the totals follow along.
- Is there a length limit?
- There is no limit we impose. Because the counting happens on your own device rather than on a server, you can paste a whole chapter or a long report and it still counts instantly.
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