Tool
Word Counter
Counts words, characters, sentences, and reading time as you type. No button to click.
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Words
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Characters
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No spaces
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Sentences
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Paragraphs
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Lines
< 1 min read
Reading
< 1 min speak
Speaking
Word count targets
Count words in three steps
No software to install. Works in any browser, on any device.
Paste or type your text
Drop your content into the text area. Stats update as you type, live.
See the stats instantly
Word count, character count, sentences, paragraphs, and reading time all update in real time.
Use the count
Copy the number you need or keep writing with the live counter tracking your progress.
Live stats
Live counting
Stats update on every keystroke. No button to press, no waiting.
Multiple metrics
Words, characters (with and without spaces), sentences, paragraphs, and estimated reading time.
100% private
Text stays in your browser. Nothing is sent anywhere.
About the Word Counter
Our free word counter tool gives you an instant breakdown of your text as you type. It tracks four key metrics: total word count, total character count, characters excluding spaces, and sentence count. It also calculates an estimated reading time based on an average reading speed of 200 words per minute.
The word counter is useful for a wide range of writing tasks. Students can check that essays meet minimum or maximum word limits. Bloggers and content writers can keep track of article length. Social media managers can verify that captions or bios don't exceed platform character limits. Copywriters can monitor ad copy length in real time.
Unlike many word processors that hide their word count behind a menu, this tool displays your stats front and centre, updating live with every keystroke. There is no button to click and no page to reload — just paste your text and the numbers appear immediately.
Everything runs locally in your browser. Your text is never uploaded, stored, or sent anywhere. This makes the tool completely safe to use with sensitive or private content such as legal documents, business reports, or personal writing.
Need related text tools? Character Counter tracks platform limits like Twitter and SMS. Paragraph Counter shows your essay structure at a glance. Sentence Counter breaks down your text sentence by sentence.
More Text tools
Character Counter
Count characters with platform limits for Twitter, SMS, and more.
Use itParagraph Counter
Count paragraphs and track essay structure targets live.
Use itSentence Counter
Count sentences and see average sentence length live.
Use itFrequently Asked Questions
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is based on an average adult reading pace of 200-250 words per minute. The estimate is a rough guide — actual reading time varies by text complexity and individual reading speed.
Does word count include numbers and punctuation?
Numbers count as words. Punctuation attached to words (like commas and periods) doesn't count separately. Standalone punctuation is also excluded from the word count.
Why does my word processor show a different count?
Different tools handle hyphenated words, contractions, and certain symbols differently. Variation of 1-5 words is normal. If you need an exact count for a submission, check the requirements for which tool's count they prefer.
Can I count words in multiple languages?
Yes. The counter works with any Latin-script text. For CJK languages (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) where words aren't space-separated, the word count won't be meaningful but the character count will be accurate.