Word Counter
Paste your text below and watch the counts update live. Words, characters, sentences, paragraphs, and reading time.
Counts update as you type. Your text never leaves your browser.
What the word counter measures
This tool gives you six live numbers for any text you paste in. Words are counted by splitting on whitespace, the same approach most word processors use. Characters are shown with and without spaces, because some platforms and assignments count them differently. Sentences are detected by looking for text that ends with a period, exclamation mark, or question mark.
Paragraphs are counted by blank lines between blocks of text. Reading time assumes an average speed of 200 words per minute, which is a common estimate for adult readers. Together, these numbers give you a full picture of your text in one glance.
Who uses a word counter
Students use it to check essays against word requirements before submitting. Writers track article length for clients who pay by the word. Job seekers keep resumes and cover letters tight. Social media users check that posts fit platform limits. And bloggers use reading time to set expectations, since readers like knowing whether an article takes two minutes or ten.
Frequently asked questions
How does the word counter count words?
It splits your text on spaces, tabs, and line breaks. Any group of characters separated by whitespace counts as one word, which matches how most word processors count.
Does the word counter work offline?
Yes. The counting happens entirely in your browser with JavaScript, so it works without an internet connection once the page has loaded.
Is there a character limit?
No. You can paste a full novel if you like. The counts update live no matter how long the text is.
What counts as a sentence?
Any group of text ending with a period, exclamation mark, or question mark counts as one sentence. Abbreviations like Dr. may be counted separately, so treat the number as a close estimate.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time assumes an average speed of 200 words per minute, which is a common estimate for adult readers. Fast readers will finish sooner, slow readers later.