Paste or type your text below to instantly see your word count, character count, sentence count, paragraph count, and estimated reading and speaking time, all calculated right in your browser.
How This Word Counter Works
Type or paste any text into the box above, and every count updates instantly as you type. There is no button to press and no limit on how much text you can check. Use "Copy text" to copy your current text to the clipboard, or "Clear text" to start over.
What Each Count Means
- Words. Counted by splitting your text on whitespace, which matches how most word processors and social platforms count words.
- Characters. The total number of characters including spaces and punctuation, useful for platforms with strict character limits.
- Characters (no spaces). The same count with spaces removed, which is how some character limits are calculated.
- Sentences. Estimated by counting groups of text that end in a period, question mark, or exclamation mark.
- Paragraphs. Counted by looking for blank lines between blocks of text.
- Reading time. Estimated using an average silent reading speed of 225 words per minute.
Who This Tool Is For
Writers checking an essay or article against a word count target, students meeting an assignment length requirement, social media users staying inside a character limit, and anyone who wants a quick, accurate read on how long their text is and roughly how long it will take to read out loud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this word counter free to use?
Yes, completely free with no limit on how much text you can check, and no account is required.
Does this tool store or upload my text?
No. Everything happens directly in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing you type or paste is sent to a server or saved anywhere.
Why does the sentence count seem slightly off?
Sentence counting relies on punctuation like periods and question marks, so abbreviations, decimal numbers, or unusual formatting can occasionally throw off the count by a sentence or two.
How accurate is the reading time estimate?
It is based on an average adult silent reading speed of 225 words per minute, so your actual reading time may be faster or slower depending on the complexity of the text and your own reading speed.