Word Counter
Count words, characters, sentences, paragraphs, and more — in real time.
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Free Online Word Counter
Whether you're writing an essay with a strict word limit, crafting a blog post targeting a specific length, or checking that a social media caption fits within a character limit, our word counter gives you the numbers you need instantly. Paste any text and see words, characters, sentences, paragraphs, reading time, and speaking time update in real time — no button to click, no page to reload.
Why Word Count Matters
Academic submissions, grant applications, and journalist pitches often have strict word count requirements — going over or under can mean rejection. Blog posts targeting SEO typically perform best between 1,500–2,500 words. Twitter/X allows 280 characters, Instagram captions 2,200, LinkedIn posts 3,000. Reading time estimates help readers know what they're committing to — research shows that displaying "5 min read" at the top of an article increases click-through rates. This tool handles all of these use cases from a single input.
Reading Time and Speaking Time
Reading time is calculated at 238 words per minute — the average silent reading speed for adults based on academic research. Speaking time uses 150 words per minute, a comfortable conversational pace suitable for podcasts, presentations, and speeches. Both figures give you a practical sense of how long it will take your audience to engage with your content, helping you calibrate length for the medium.