Word Counter
Paste or type any text to count words, characters, sentences and paragraphs, and see reading time and top keywords instantly.
Top keywords
🔒 Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent to a server.
Whether you are writing an essay with a strict word limit, a meta description that must fit in Google’s results, or a speech that needs to last five minutes, you need accurate counts as you go. This word counter updates with every keystroke. Alongside words and characters, it shows how long the text takes to read aloud and which words you lean on most.
How to use the word counter
- Type directly into the box, or paste text from Word, Google Docs, an email or a web page.
- Watch the counts update live. There is nothing to click.
- Check Top keywords to see which words you repeat most and what share of the text they make up.
Common length limits
| Where | Limit |
|---|---|
| X (Twitter) post | 280 characters |
| Google title tag (shown in results) | about 50–60 characters |
| Google meta description | about 150–160 characters |
| Instagram caption | 2,200 characters |
| LinkedIn post | 3,000 characters |
| College application essay (Common App) | 650 words |
| Typical blog post | 1,000–2,000 words |
| SMS message | 160 characters (GSM) |
How long does it take to read?
Reading speed varies by reader and content, but these averages are a useful guide:
- 500 words takes about 2 minutes to read and 3.5 minutes to say out loud.
- 1,000 words takes about 4 minutes to read and 7 minutes to speak.
- A 10-minute talk needs roughly 1,300–1,500 words.
Using keyword density wisely
The keyword panel shows your most-used meaningful words, leaving out filler such as “the” and “and”, along with their share of the total word count. It helps you to:
- Spot repetition. If one word makes up 4–5% of your text, readers will notice. Try a synonym or restructure the sentence.
- Check your topic focus. For SEO, the main subject of the page should naturally appear among the top terms.
- Avoid keyword stuffing. Search engines reward writing that sounds natural. There is no magic density to aim for, so write for people first.
Tips for hitting a word limit
- Too long? Cut adverbs, swap phrases like “in order to” for “to”, and remove sentences that repeat a point you have already made.
- Too short? Add a concrete example, a statistic with its source, or answer a question your reader is likely to ask next.
Frequently asked questions
How does the word counter decide what counts as a word?
Any run of letters or numbers counts as one word, including words joined by an apostrophe or hyphen, such as "don't" or "well-known". Punctuation and symbols on their own aren't counted. This matches how most word processors count.
Do spaces count as characters?
In the main character count, yes. Spaces, line breaks and punctuation all count. The "characters (no spaces)" figure leaves out all whitespace, which some publishers and translation agencies use for pricing.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time assumes an average silent reading speed of about 238 words per minute for adults reading non-fiction. Speaking time assumes about 140 words per minute, a comfortable pace for presentations.
Is my text saved or uploaded?
No. Counting happens in your browser as you type, and nothing is sent to a server or stored. Close the tab and the text is gone.