Paste or type your text and watch the counts update as you write – words, characters, sentences, paragraphs and even how long it takes to read aloud. Nothing you type is sent anywhere; the counting happens in your browser.
Reading time uses about 200 words per minute, speaking time about 130 words per minute — rough guides, not stopwatch numbers.
New to word counts? Our guide explains what each number means: How to Count Words and Characters
How to use the Word Counter
- Type in the box, or paste text from a document, email or web page.
- Watch the panel below the box. The counts update as you type, so there is no button to press.
- Check the number that matters for your task: words for an essay limit, characters for a form or a social post.
- Press Clear text to empty the box and start again.
What the results mean
- Words — groups of letters separated by spaces. “Part-time” counts as one word, and so does a number like 2026.
- Characters — every letter, number, punctuation mark and space in the text. This is the full length, exactly as typed.
- Characters (no spaces) — the same count with the spaces taken out. Some forms ask for this version, so check which one your limit means.
- Sentences — counted by the full stops, question marks and exclamation marks that end them. Text with no ending punctuation at all counts as one sentence.
- Paragraphs — blocks of text separated by a blank line. Pressing Enter once starts a new line, not a new paragraph.
- Reading time — how long the text takes to read silently, worked out at about 200 words per minute, an average adult reading speed.
- Speaking time — how long the text takes to say out loud, at about 130 words per minute. Speaking runs slower than reading because of pauses and breaths. Both figures are rough guides, and short pieces are shown in seconds.
Worked example
Paste this text into the box:
“The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. It is a sunny day!”
The counter shows:
- Words: 14
- Sentences: 2
- Characters: 63
- Characters (no spaces): 50
- Paragraphs: 1
- Reading time: 4 sec
- Speaking time: 6 sec
The gap between 63 and 50 is 13 spaces. That is a handy reminder: spaces are characters too, and they are the first thing to check when a form rejects text that looks short enough.
Common mistakes
- Expecting the counter to fix grammar or spelling. It only counts. A piece can be exactly 500 words and still be full of mistakes.
- Checking the wrong number. A draft can pass a word limit and fail a character limit at the same time.
- Copying the text out straight after counting. Edit one sentence and every count changes, so check once more just before you submit.
- Treating the reading time as exact. Fast readers, slow readers and difficult text all shift it. Use it for planning, not as a promise.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Does the counter count as I type, or do I need to press a button?
It counts as you type. Every figure in the panel updates the moment you add or delete a character, including when you paste a whole document in one go.
Q: Why does my word processor give a slightly different count?
Counters disagree on small points: hyphenated words, numbers, and text with no punctuation. If you are close to a strict limit, leave a word or two of spare room instead of relying on one counter’s habits.
Q: Is the text I paste here sent anywhere?
No. The counting happens in your own browser, on your own device. Nothing you type or paste is sent to us or stored anywhere, so essays, applications and private drafts stay private.