Word Counter
Count words, characters, sentences and reading time instantly.
About this calculator
A word counter is one of the most-used tools on the web because so much writing comes with a limit or a target. Essays have word counts, social posts and ad copy have character limits, meta descriptions cap around 160 characters, and speeches are timed. This tool counts as you type — words, characters with and without spaces, sentences and paragraphs — so you always know exactly where you stand.
The character counts matter more than most people realize. Twitter/X posts, SMS messages, SEO title tags and form fields are all limited by characters, not words, and spaces sometimes count and sometimes don't. Showing both figures — with spaces and without — means you can check against whatever limit applies without guessing.
Reading and speaking time estimates use widely accepted averages: about 200 words per minute for silent reading and about 130 words per minute for speaking aloud. These are invaluable for judging whether a blog post is a quick skim or a long read, or whether a five-minute presentation script is actually five minutes.
Everything is calculated in your browser as you type — no text is ever uploaded, stored or sent anywhere, which makes it safe for drafts, confidential documents and unpublished work.
Frequently asked questions
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time uses an average silent-reading speed of about 200 words per minute, and speaking time uses about 130 words per minute. Both are standard averages; your actual pace may vary.
Does it count characters with spaces?
It shows both: total characters including spaces, and characters excluding spaces. Use whichever your character limit is based on — social platforms and SEO fields often count spaces.
Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. All counting happens locally in your browser as you type. Your text is never sent to a server, so it's safe for private or unpublished writing.