How to use the Sentence Counter
- Paste your text into the editor.
- See the sentence count and averages instantly.
- Review the longest sentences listed below the results.
- Shorten long sentences to improve readability.
Example
| Input | I came. I saw. I conquered! |
|---|---|
| Result | 3 sentences · 2 words per sentence on average |
What the Sentence Counter reports
- Sentences and words in total.
- Average words per sentence, plus the longest and shortest sentence.
- How many sentences go over your word limit (25 by default, and you can change it).
- Paragraphs and questions.
- A highlighted copy of your text with long sentences marked, and a list of your five longest sentences.
Why sentence length matters
Long sentences are harder to follow, especially on a phone screen. A mix of short and medium sentences keeps readers moving, with the occasional long one for variety. As a rough rule, aim for an average of 15 to 20 words, and treat anything over 25 words as a candidate for splitting.
How to tighten your writing
- Set the highlight limit to the length you want, then shorten the marked sentences first.
- Split sentences at words like “and”, “but” and “which” if each half can stand alone.
- Cut filler phrases such as “in order to” and “due to the fact that”.
- Read the longest-sentences list out loud. If you run out of breath, rewrite it.
- Check the overall effect with the Readability Checker and look for passive sentences with the Passive Voice Checker.
Tips for accurate counts
Each line is checked separately, and a sentence ends at a period, question mark or exclamation mark. A line with no end punctuation still counts as one sentence, so headings and bullet items are counted too. Common abbreviations such as “Mr.” and “e.g.” do not end a sentence. For word and character totals, use the Word Counter.
Frequently asked questions
How are sentences detected?
A sentence ends with a period, question mark or exclamation mark followed by a space or the end of the text. Common abbreviations like “Mr.” and “e.g.” are not treated as sentence endings.
What is a good average sentence length?
For most web content, an average of 15–20 words per sentence is easy to read. Mix short and long sentences for rhythm.
Can I change what counts as a long sentence?
Yes. Change the number in “Highlight sentences longer than (words)”. The default is 25 and you can set any value from 5 to 100.
Does it count questions separately?
Yes. The Questions figure counts sentences that end with a question mark.