Word Counter
Count words, characters, sentences and paragraphs — plus reading time and top keywords.
Top keywords
Keywords appear once you type a few sentences.
About this word counter
Essays, cover letters, product descriptions, blog posts and social media all come with length limits. This word counter updates live as you type or paste, showing words, characters with and without spaces, sentences, paragraphs, and estimated reading and speaking time.
It also lists your most-used keywords (ignoring common words like "the" and "and"), which helps you spot repetition in your writing and check that an article actually focuses on its main topic.
How to use the Word Counter
- Type or paste your text into the box.
- Watch the counts update instantly.
- Check the top keywords table for overused words.
- Copy your text when you're done — nothing is saved or uploaded.
How words and reading time are counted
A word is any run of letters or numbers, so contractions like "don't" and hyphenated words like "well-known" count as one word. Reading time assumes about 238 words per minute (the average adult silent reading speed found in research) and speaking time about 140 words per minute for a presentation.
Worked example
A 1,200-word blog post takes about 5 minutes to read and around 9 minutes to read aloud.
Tips for better results
- Most college application essays cap at 650 words; check the exact limit for each prompt.
- For SEO, write for the reader first — keyword density is a guide to repetition, not a target.
Frequently asked questions
Does the word counter save my text?
No. Counting happens in your browser and your text is never uploaded or stored.
How many words is a page?
About 500 words single-spaced or 250 words double-spaced, with 12-point font and standard margins.
Do numbers count as words?
Yes. Numbers like 2026 are counted as words, as most word processors do.
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Results are calculated in your browser.