How this word counter works
This word counter updates as you type, with no button to press and nothing uploaded. A word is any run of characters separated by spaces or line breaks that contains at least one letter or digit, so "well-known" and "don't" each count as one word, while a stray dash or emoji on its own does not. Characters are counted twice: once with spaces and once without, which is useful because different platforms and style guides use different conventions. Sentences are detected by ending punctuation (a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark followed by a space or the end of the text), and paragraphs are blocks of text separated by at least one blank line.
When a word count matters
- Essays and assignments: teachers and course pages usually set a target or a maximum. Check the count before you submit, and remember that some instructors exclude the bibliography or quoted material.
- Web writing and SEO: page titles and meta descriptions are often cut off in search results at roughly 60 and 155 characters respectively. These are rules of thumb rather than fixed limits, but the character count helps you stay close.
- Social posts and messages: a standard X (Twitter) post allows 280 characters, and a single SMS using the basic GSM alphabet holds 160 characters. Using the counter before you post saves rewriting.
- Speeches and videos: the speaking-time estimate uses 150 words per minute, a comfortable conversational pace. Read your script aloud once to calibrate it for your own voice.
- Applications and forms: personal statements and cover letters often have strict word limits, and a quick count prevents your text being cut off by the form.
Reading time and frequent words
Reading time is calculated at 238 words per minute, which is the average adult silent-reading speed for non-fiction reported in a 2019 review of reading studies. Real readers vary a lot, so treat the figure as a guide. The "most frequent words" list ignores very short words and common filler such as "the", "and" and "with", so that the words that appear are more likely to reflect your topic. If one word shows up far more than you expected, it may be worth varying your vocabulary.
Tips for tighter writing
If you are over your limit, cut in this order: repeated ideas first, then filler phrases such as "in order to" (use "to"), then adverbs that add little, and finally whole sentences that do not support your main point. If you are under the limit, resist padding. Add a concrete example, a number or a short explanation instead. Because everything runs in your browser, you can safely check confidential drafts here.
Limitations
Languages written without spaces between words, such as Chinese and Japanese, cannot be split into words this way, so the character count is the more reliable figure for them. Counts can also differ by a few words from other programs because each tool has its own rule for hyphens, numbers and symbols. If an exact figure is critical, such as for a competition entry, confirm which program the organisers use.