Count Words Instantly
Paste or type your text below for a live word and character count — plus sentences, paragraphs, reading time, and keyword density. Nothing you write leaves your browser.
Your most-used words (common words like "the" and "and" excluded) — useful for SEO and avoiding repetition.
Why word count matters
Nearly every kind of writing has a length target: essays and assignments set minimums, publishers set maximums, and platforms cut you off mid-sentence. A live counter lets you write to the limit instead of guessing — and metrics like sentence length and reading time help you tighten your writing, not just measure it.
Reading time here uses the average adult silent-reading speed of about 238 words per minute; speaking time uses a typical presentation pace of 130 words per minute.
Common length limits
All writing tools
Free tools for writers, students, and marketers — no sign-up, nothing stored.
Frequently asked questions
How are words counted?
Any run of letters or numbers separated by spaces counts as one word — so "state-of-the-art" is one word and "3.5" is one word. This matches how word processors like Google Docs and Microsoft Word count.
Do characters include spaces?
The main character count includes spaces, since that’s what most platform limits (like X’s 280 characters) measure. The "characters (no spaces)" stat excludes them.
How is reading time calculated?
We divide your word count by 238 words per minute — the average adult silent-reading speed found in a 2019 meta-analysis of reading research (Brysbaert). Speaking time uses 130 wpm, a comfortable presentation pace.
What is keyword density?
The percentage of your total words that a specific word represents. SEO guidance generally suggests keeping any one keyword under about 2–3% — higher can read as keyword stuffing to both readers and search engines.
Is my text stored or sent anywhere?
No. All counting runs locally in your browser. Your text is never uploaded, saved, or shared — you can even use the page offline once loaded.
Does it work for languages other than English?
Yes — word and character counting works for any language that separates words with spaces. Counts for languages without spaces (like Chinese or Japanese) are approximate; use the character count instead.