Word Counter
Count words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs in real time as you type or paste. The free Word Counter also estimates reading time—ideal for essays, blog posts, meta descriptions, and social posts with strict character limits.
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The Word Counter instantly counts the words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs in your text as you type or paste it—no button to press and nothing to install. It also estimates reading time, so you can write to a target whether you're trimming a meta description to 160 characters, hitting an essay word count, or keeping a social post under its limit.
How do I use the Word Counter?
- Type directly into the box, or paste text you've already written.
- Watch the word and character totals update in real time.
- Use the sentence, paragraph, and reading-time figures to balance and tighten your draft.
Nothing is uploaded or stored—the counting happens right in your browser.
What does the Word Counter measure?
- Words — the total word count, the headline metric for essays and articles.
- Characters — counted with and without spaces, essential for meta tags and social limits.
- Sentences and paragraphs — useful for readability and pacing.
- Reading time — an estimate based on average reading speed.
Why does word and character count matter for SEO?
Search snippets and social previews are limited by characters, not words. A meta description is best kept to about 150–160 characters and a title tag under 60 characters so they don't get truncated in results. For longer content, matching the depth readers expect matters more than any magic number. If you want concrete targets for blogs, essays, and meta tags, see our guide on the ideal word count for different content types.
Helpful tools to use next
Once your text is the right length, these free tools help you polish it:
- Case Converter — fix capitalisation for headlines and titles.
- Meta Tag Generator — build titles and descriptions that fit the limits.
- Rewrite Article — reword passages while keeping the meaning.
- Online Text Editor — format and clean up text in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Word Counter free?
Yes. It's completely free, with no sign-up, and works directly in your browser.
Does it count characters with and without spaces?
Yes. You can see the character total both ways, which is important when you're writing to a strict character limit like a meta description or a tweet.
Is my text saved or sent anywhere?
No. The counting runs locally in your browser, so your text isn't uploaded or stored.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is estimated from your word count using an average adult reading speed of roughly 200–250 words per minute, so treat it as a close guide rather than an exact figure.