Free Word & Character Counter
A word counter is a tool that counts the number of words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs in a piece of text. Paste or type below to get live counts plus reading time, speaking time, and a progress bar toward an essay word target. Free, no signup, fully private - your text never leaves your browser.
Text is processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
How does the word counter count words?
The counter splits text on whitespace and counts each non-empty token as one word. Hyphenated terms like "well-being" count as one word; contractions like "don't" count as one word. Numbers and standalone punctuation are excluded.
What is the difference between characters with and without spaces?
Characters with spaces counts every keystroke including spaces, tabs, and line breaks. Characters without spaces counts only the visible letters, digits, and punctuation. Most academic word limits use characters without spaces; most social media limits use characters with spaces.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time uses 250 words per minute, the average silent reading speed for adults reading on screens. Speaking time uses 130 words per minute, the average comfortable presentation pace. Both are estimates - your actual pace may be 20% faster or slower.
Is the word counter accurate for academic essays?
Yes. The word-counting algorithm matches how Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and most submission systems (Turnitin, Canvas, Blackboard) count words. Differences of 1-3 words on essays under 1000 words are normal and within the tolerance every grading system allows.
Does my text get sent to a server?
No. The word counter runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your text never leaves your device, never touches our servers, and is not stored anywhere. Close the tab and the text is gone.
Can the word counter help me hit a word target?
Yes. Set a word goal (e.g. 500 words) and the progress bar fills as you write. The counter shows how many more words you need or how many you are over the limit, so you can stop when you hit the target.