Word counter
Paste or type your text and watch the stats update instantly — no button required.
100% private — your files are processed on your device and never uploaded to a server.
How it works
- 1
Paste or type your text
Type directly into the text box or paste content you already have copied.
- 2
Watch the live stats
Words, characters, sentences, paragraphs and estimated reading time update automatically as you type.
- 3
Use the result
Check the figures to verify the length of an essay, assignment or article before you publish it.
How words, sentences and reading time are counted
The counter treats any sequence of characters separated by spaces as a word, so hyphenated words like "well-known" count as a single word, while abbreviations and numbers are counted too. Sentences are detected by looking for the punctuation that closes them (. ! ? …), and paragraphs are identified by blank line breaks between blocks of text.
Estimated reading time is calculated by dividing the word count by 200, the average silent reading speed for an adult (about 200 words per minute), a figure widely cited in readability research. It's an approximate guide — actual speed varies with text complexity and the reader.
Frequently asked questions
How is the estimated reading time calculated?
Word count is divided by 200, the average silent reading speed for an adult (about 200 words per minute). It's an approximate figure, not an exact one.
Do hyphenated words count as one word or two?
They count as a single word, because the counter treats any sequence of characters separated by spaces as one word, regardless of internal hyphens.
Do spaces and punctuation marks count as words?
No. Spaces only separate words and aren't counted themselves, and standalone punctuation marks aren't counted as words either, though they do affect sentence detection.
Does this tool store or send my text to a server?
No. All counting happens in your browser with JavaScript — your text is never transmitted to or stored on any server.