Word Counter
Paste or type text to see live word count, character count, line count, and estimated reading time. No data is sent to a server.
How words are counted
Words are counted by splitting text on whitespace — any sequence of non-whitespace characters is treated as one word. This matches the convention used by most word processors.
Reading time estimate
Reading time is calculated at an average pace of 200 words per minute, a common midpoint for adult reading speed. The estimate rounds up to the nearest minute.
What the counts mean
- Characters — total characters including spaces and punctuation.
- Characters (no spaces) — useful for platforms that count only visible characters.
- Lines — number of newline-separated lines in the input.
- Sentences — sequences ending in
.,!, or?.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this tool define and count a word?
A word is defined as any sequence of non-whitespace characters separated by spaces, tabs, or line breaks. Hyphenated compounds (e.g. 'cutting-edge') are counted as single words, matching Microsoft Word and Google Docs conventions.
How is estimated reading time calculated?
Reading time is estimated using the average adult reading speed of 200 words per minute (WPM). Speaking time is typically 130–150 WPM.
What are standard word count targets for common writing?
Typical targets include: college application essays (500–650 words), standard blog posts (1,200–2,000 words), academic papers (3,000–5,000 words), and full novels (70,000–90,000 words).
Are numbers counted as words?
Yes. Isolated numbers surrounded by spaces (e.g. '2026' or '$50') are counted as individual words in accordance with standard publishing conventions.
Is there a character or word limit?
No practical limit. Because computation runs in local browser memory rather than across a server request, you can inspect entire essays or book chapters instantly.
Is my draft or text stored or sent to a server?
No. All counting logic executes 100% locally in your browser. Your confidential writing, articles, and drafts never leave your device.