Count words, characters, sentences & paragraphs instantly
See word and character counts update instantly as you type.
Your text never leaves your browser. No data is stored or transmitted.
Words, characters, sentences, paragraphs, reading & speaking time.
No signup, no limits, no hidden fees. Count unlimited text.
Use on any device - desktop, tablet, or mobile.
Precise counting for essays, articles, social media posts & more.
A word counter is a tool that counts the number of words in a text. Our word counter also provides additional statistics like character count, sentence count, paragraph count, and estimated reading/speaking time. It's useful for writers, students, and professionals who need to meet specific word count requirements.
A word is typically defined as a sequence of characters separated by spaces or punctuation. Numbers, abbreviations, and hyphenated words are usually counted as single words. Our counter follows standard word counting conventions used by most word processors.
We show both! Our tool displays "Characters" (with spaces) and "Characters (no spaces)" so you can use whichever count you need. Some platforms like Twitter count characters with spaces, while others may not.
Simply paste or type your text into the text area above. The word count, character count, and other statistics will update automatically in real-time. No need to click any buttons - it's instant!
Reading time is calculated based on an average reading speed of 200-250 words per minute (we use 225 wpm). This is the typical silent reading speed for adults reading non-technical content.
Speaking time is calculated based on an average speaking speed of 125-150 words per minute (we use 130 wpm). This accounts for natural pauses and a comfortable presentation pace.
In Microsoft Word, you can see the word count in the status bar at the bottom left. For detailed statistics, go to Review → Word Count, or press Ctrl+Shift+G (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+G (Mac).
In Google Docs, go to Tools → Word count, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+C (Mac). You can also enable "Display word count while typing" to see a live count.
In Microsoft Word, click on the word count in the status bar, or go to Review → Word Count. This opens a dialog showing characters (with and without spaces), words, paragraphs, and lines.
It depends on your assignment guidelines. Our tool counts ALL text you paste. For academic papers, references/bibliography are typically NOT included in the word count. Check your specific requirements.
Generally, yes - headings and titles are included in word count unless otherwise specified. Our tool counts all visible text. For academic work, check your institution's specific guidelines.
Yes, absolutely! Our word counter is 100% free with no limits. Count as many words as you need, as often as you want. There's no signup required, no premium features locked behind paywalls, and no ads interrupting your work.
Yes, our word counter is highly accurate and uses the same counting methods as major word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs. The counts update in real-time as you type.