Essays have word limits, blog posts have target lengths and speeches have time limits. A word counter tells you where you stand while you write.
What you can measure
- Words, characters, sentences, paragraphs and lines.
- Estimated reading and speaking time.
- Length against a limit, such as 500 words for an assignment.
How to use it
- Open Word Counter and paste or type your text.
- Read the numbers, which update as you edit.
- Cut or add text until you reach your target.
Useful targets
- Short blog posts: 600 to 900 words.
- Detailed guides: 1,500 words or more.
- Reading time is about 200 words a minute for most adults.
- College essays often have a strict limit, so check the rules.
Tip for editing
Count after you remove headings and references if your limit excludes them. Different systems count hyphenated words and numbers differently, so leave a little room under the limit.
Frequently asked questions
How is reading time estimated?
It divides the word count by an average reading speed.
Is my text uploaded?
No. Everything happens in your browser, so your text never leaves your device.
Ready to start?
Open Word Counter