How to use it
- Type or paste your text into the box.
- Read the word and character counts below it.
- Optionally enter a word goal to see how many words are left.
- Keep editing; every number updates instantly.
What the word counter measures
The counter reads your text and shows several numbers at once:
- Words – every run of letters or digits counts as one word.
- Characters – with spaces and without spaces.
- Unique words – how many different words you used, ignoring case.
- Sentences and paragraphs.
- Average word length in letters.
- Reading time at 200 words per minute.
Hyphenated words such as well-known or 2026-style count as one word, and so do contractions like don't and it's. Punctuation, emoji and standalone symbols don't add to the word count, but they do count as characters. An emoji or an accented letter counts as a single character, the way you see it, even when it is stored as several code units behind the scenes.
Everything happens in your browser; the text you paste is never uploaded to a server.
How long is a page? Common word targets
Word limits show up everywhere: school essays, college applications, freelance briefs, grant forms and blog posts. Some useful reference points:
| Text | Typical length |
|---|---|
| Common App personal essay | up to 650 words |
| One page, single-spaced (12 pt) | roughly 500 words |
| One page, double-spaced (12 pt) | roughly 250 words |
| Short blog post | 600–1,000 words |
| In-depth article or guide | 1,500 words and up |
| Post on X (standard account) | 280 characters |
The page estimates are rules of thumb; font, margins and paragraph breaks change the real number. When an assignment gives a page count, ask whether a word count is acceptable, because it is a more precise measure.
Using a word goal
If you have a limit to hit, type it into the Word goal field. Below the results you'll see either how many words you still need, or by how much you've gone over. This is handy when you are trimming an essay down to a hard cap like 250 or 650 words, or padding out a section that is too thin.
A few tips for cutting words without losing meaning:
- Remove filler such as very, really, just and in order to.
- Replace phrases with single words: due to the fact that becomes because.
- Turn passive sentences into active ones; they are usually shorter.
- Cut repeated points. The unique words count is a quick sign of how varied your vocabulary is.
Why counts differ between tools
Word processors, websites and this counter can disagree by a few words. The usual reasons:
- Hyphens and dashes. Some tools split e-mail into two words; this one keeps it as one. An em dash with no spaces (word—word) may be read as one or two words depending on the tool.
- Numbers and symbols. A standalone number like 2026 counts as a word here; a standalone symbol like & does not.
- Characters. Some tools count every Unicode code unit, so an emoji can count as two characters. This counter counts what you see.
- Sentences. Abbreviations such as Dr. or e.g. can look like the end of a sentence, so the sentence count is an estimate.
If a teacher or publisher names a specific program, check the final count there. For counting lines and paragraphs in lists or code, use the line counter, and for a rough speech length, the reading time calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How does the word counter count words?
Any run of letters or digits is one word. Hyphenated words and contractions count as one word. Punctuation and emoji are not words but are included in the character count.
Does the character count include spaces?
You get both numbers: characters with spaces and characters without spaces. Line breaks count as whitespace.
How many words is a 5-page paper?
As a rule of thumb, about 1,250 words double-spaced or 2,500 words single-spaced in a 12-point font. Font, spacing and margins change the real figure.
How is the reading time calculated?
The tool divides the word count by 200 words per minute, a typical silent reading pace. For other speeds or speaking time, use the reading time calculator.
Is my text saved or uploaded?
No. The counting runs entirely in your browser, and nothing you type is sent to a server or stored.
Last updated: November 12, 2026