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Word Counter

Paste or type your text to count words, characters, sentences and paragraphs as you go, with reading time at 238 words per minute and the words you use most. Set a target word count and a progress bar tracks it. Counts match Microsoft Word for ordinary prose, and your text is never uploaded.

Runs entirely in your browser

Updated

How to use the Word Counter

  1. 1Type or paste your text into the box.
  2. 2The counts update on every keystroke.
  3. 3Open the keyword panel to see which words you lean on most.
  4. 4Set a target word count and the progress bar tracks it.

How it works

Words are counted by splitting on whitespace after trimming, which matches how word processors count and handles hyphenated and apostrophed words as single words. Sentences are found by looking for terminal punctuation followed by a space or end of text, and paragraphs by blank lines.

Sentence detection is approximate by nature — abbreviations like 'Dr.' and 'e.g.' end in full stops without ending a sentence, and no simple rule catches every case. The count is reliable enough for pacing and readability checks, not for anything requiring exactness.

Reading time uses 238 words per minute, the average from research into adult silent reading of non-technical prose. Speaking time uses 130 words per minute, a comfortable presentation pace.

Your text is processed by JavaScript running in this page and is never sent over the network. That matters when you are pasting a draft, a client brief, meeting notes or anything else you would rather not hand to a server.

Worked example

Checking an essay against a 1,500-word limit

  1. Paste the essay into the box.
  2. Set the target to 1,500 words.
  3. Watch the progress indicator as you edit.

Result: A live count with the words remaining, plus an estimated reading time.

Tips and common mistakes

  • Set a target word count to see how much you have left as you edit.
  • Open the keyword panel to spot words you are overusing.
  • Use the speaking time to plan a speech or a presentation.
  • Check whether your limit includes titles, footnotes and references before trimming.

Frequently asked questions

Does this count the same as Microsoft Word?
For ordinary prose, yes. Both split on whitespace. Small differences can appear around unusual punctuation, footnote markers and text in tables.
How is reading time calculated?
At 238 words per minute, the researched average for adult silent reading. Technical material reads slower, so treat it as a guide.
Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything is counted by JavaScript in this page. You can disconnect from the network and it still works.
What counts as a sentence?
A run of text ending in a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark. Abbreviations can cause a slight over-count, which is unavoidable without full language analysis.
How many words is a five-minute speech?
About 650 words at a comfortable 130 words a minute.
How many pages is 1,000 words?
Roughly two pages single-spaced or four double-spaced, in a 12-point font with standard margins. Headings and paragraph breaks change it.
Do hyphenated words count as one word?
Yes. Words are split on spaces, so “well-known” counts as one, as it does in word processors.
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