How to use the Word Counter
- Type or paste your text into the box.
- Results update instantly as you type.
- Check the keyword list to spot overused words.
- Copy, download or clear your text with the buttons below the editor.
Example
| Input | The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. |
|---|---|
| Result | 9 words · 44 characters · 1 sentence |
What the Word Counter shows
Beyond the word total, the counter reports everything you usually need to check a piece of writing in one glance:
- Words, characters (with and without spaces), sentences, paragraphs and lines.
- Unique words, which is a quick signal of how repetitive your text is.
- Average word length, useful for judging how simple or technical your writing is.
- Reading time (about 238 words per minute) and speaking time (about 130 words per minute).
- A keyword list showing which words you use most, so you can spot overused terms.
When a word count matters
Students need to hit an assignment range, such as 1,500 words plus or minus ten percent. Writers submitting to magazines or journals often have strict limits. Bloggers and marketers use word counts to plan article length, while speakers use the speaking time estimate to fit a talk into a slot.
For search engines there is no magic word count. Length should follow what the reader needs: a short definition can be 300 words, while a detailed how-to may need 2,000. Use the count to check that you have covered the topic, not to pad it.
Tips for hitting your target
- Set a word goal. The progress bar shows how many words you have left, or how many you are over.
- Count the text you will actually submit. Remove headings, citations or captions first if your limit excludes them.
- Cut before you add. Deleting filler such as “very”, “really” and “in order to” usually improves clarity and lowers your count.
- Check the keyword list after editing. If one word dominates, vary it or reword the sentence.
- For tweets and meta descriptions the character count matters more than words. Use the Character Counter instead.
Private by design
Everything is counted inside your browser. Your text is never uploaded, so it is safe to paste drafts, essays or confidential documents. You can even tick “Autosave my text on this device” to keep your draft between visits, and untick it to delete the saved copy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I set a word goal or save my text?
Yes. Enter a word goal to see a progress bar. Tick “Autosave my text on this device” to keep your text in this browser between visits; it is never uploaded, and unticking it deletes the saved copy.
How does the word counter count words?
A word is any group of letters or numbers separated by spaces or line breaks. Hyphenated words like “well-known” and contractions like “don’t” count as one word.
Is my text saved or uploaded?
No. All counting happens in your browser. Your text is never sent to our servers.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time assumes an average silent reading speed of 238 words per minute. Speaking time assumes 130 words per minute.
Is there a word limit?
There is no fixed limit. Very long documents (hundreds of thousands of words) may slow down older devices.
How many words is a page?
It depends on font, size and spacing. As a rough guide, a single-spaced page in a 12 pt font holds about 500 words and a double-spaced page about 250. Use the Words to Pages Calculator for a more exact estimate.
Can I count words in a file?
Yes. Click “Open file” or drop a file onto the text box. Plain text, Markdown, CSV, JSON, HTML and similar text files up to 5 MB are supported.
Are numbers counted as words?
Yes. A group of digits such as “2026” counts as a word, just like in most word processors.