Count words, characters, sentences, paragraphs and estimate reading time instantly
This free word counter instantly counts words, characters, sentences, paragraphs and estimated reading time as you type or paste text. Everything updates live in your browser — no button to press, no upload, nothing stored on any server.
Word counts matter more than people expect. Students face strict essay and assignment limits. Content writers and bloggers target 1,500–2,500 words for SEO articles. Social media managers work against hard caps — 280 characters on X, 2,200 on Instagram. Job seekers keep cover letters between 250 and 400 words. Authors track daily writing goals, and translators and freelancers bill per word.
Reading time is calculated at roughly 200–250 words per minute, the average adult silent reading speed. This is the number bloggers put at the top of articles ("5 min read") and what presenters use to time a speech — a 10-minute talk needs about 1,300–1,500 spoken words.