How to use the Word Counter
- Type or paste your text into the box.
- Watch the counts update instantly.
- Check reading and speaking time and your most repeated words.
- Use Copy stats to paste the numbers elsewhere.
What does this tool do?
The counter treats a word as any run of letters or numbers, so hyphenated words (well-known) and contractions (don't) count as one word, the same way most word processors count them.
Sentences are split on full stops, question marks and exclamation marks, with common abbreviations like “e.g.” and “Dr.” handled so they don't end a sentence early.
Why use it?
- Hit essay, application and article word limits.
- See reading time for blog posts and speeches.
- Spot words you repeat too often.
- Private: your text never leaves your browser.
Typical word counts
Rough guides for common types of writing:
| Type of writing | Typical length |
|---|---|
| Tweet / X post | Up to 280 characters |
| Meta description | ~150–160 characters |
| Short blog post | 600–1,000 words |
| In-depth article | 1,500–2,500 words |
| College admission essay | 250–650 words |
| 5-minute speech | ~650–750 words |
| Novel | 70,000–100,000 words |
Accuracy and limits
- Different apps count slightly differently — for example, some count “e-mail” as two words. Differences are usually under 1%.
Privacy
Everything you type is processed in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent to our servers or stored by us. There's no account to create and nothing to install.
Frequently asked questions
Does the word counter save my text?
No. The count happens in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere. Refreshing the page clears the box.
How is reading time calculated?
Words divided by 238 words per minute, the average silent reading speed for adults found in a large 2019 review of reading studies.
Do numbers count as words?
Yes. “2026” and “10%” each count as one word, as they do in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
Last reviewed by the M2Toolkit team.