Word counter
Paste or type your text to see words, characters, sentences, paragraphs and reading time as you write.
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- Words
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- Characters
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- No spaces
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- Reading time
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- Speaking time
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Most used words
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How to use the word counter
- 1 Paste or type your text into the box.
- 2 Read the live counts for words, characters, sentences, paragraphs and lines.
- 3 Check reading and speaking time, and the most used words, to tighten your writing.
Why a word counter matters for students
Essays, abstracts, personal statements and discussion posts all come with word limits. A live counter shows where you stand while you write, so you can cut or expand before you submit instead of after. The reading and speaking time estimates also help you plan presentations and oral exams.
How the counts work
Words are runs of letters, numbers and apostrophes separated by spaces or punctuation. Sentences end at a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark. Paragraphs are separated by blank lines. Characters are counted with and without spaces, because some limits include spaces and some do not.
Words per minute: reading and speaking speed
Reading time and speaking time are just your word count divided by a words-per-minute rate. The counter uses the averages below, so you can also do the sum yourself: 1,200 words is about five minutes of silent reading and eight minutes aloud.
| Pace | Words per minute |
|---|---|
| Slow reading, dense material | 200 |
| Average adult reading | 238 |
| Fast reading, light material | 300 |
| Slow, deliberate speech (lectures) | 130 |
| Presentations | 150 |
| Conversation | 180 |
How many words per page?
It depends on font, size, margins and spacing, so treat these as rules of thumb for 12 pt Times New Roman or similar with normal margins. Your course may count differently, so check the brief.
| Pages | Double spaced | Single spaced |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 250 to 300 | 500 to 600 |
| 2 | 500 to 600 | 1,000 to 1,200 |
| 5 | 1,250 to 1,500 | 2,500 to 3,000 |
| 10 | 2,500 to 3,000 | 5,000 to 6,000 |
Common word and character limits
Limits worth knowing when you paste a draft in. Always confirm the current rule with the platform or your department.
| Where | Limit |
|---|---|
| Common App essay | 650 words |
| UCAS personal statement | 4,000 characters including spaces |
| Post on X | 280 characters |
| Search result description | about 155 characters |
| Typical paper abstract | 150 to 250 words, set by the journal or course |
Private by design
Your text is counted in your browser and never sent to a server, so it is safe to paste drafts, coursework and notes.
Word counter FAQ
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is calculated using the average reading speed of 238 words per minute for adults. This is based on extensive research including studies by Rayner et al. (2016) and represents the typical reading speed for comprehension. The formula is: Reading Time = Total Words ÷ 238 words per minute. For slower readers, we estimate 200 WPM, and for fast readers, 300 WPM.
How is speaking time calculated for presentations?
Speaking time is calculated using an average speaking pace of 150 words per minute, which is the standard rate for public speaking and presentations. This pace allows for clear articulation, natural pauses, and audience comprehension. For conversational speech, we use 180 WPM, and for slow, deliberate speech (like lectures), we use 130 WPM.
What counts as a word in the word counter?
Our word counter uses the standard definition where words are sequences of characters separated by spaces or punctuation. Numbers, contractions (like 'don't'), hyphenated words, and abbreviations each count as one word. Empty lines and multiple spaces are ignored. This method aligns with most professional writing tools and academic standards.
Why are there two character counts (with and without spaces)?
Different platforms and requirements use different character counting methods: Character count WITH spaces is used by Twitter, Facebook, and most social media platforms for character limits. Character count WITHOUT spaces is often used in academic writing, some publishing contexts, and certain professional writing guidelines. We provide both so you can meet any requirement.
How many words is a 5 page essay?
About 1,250 to 1,500 words double spaced and 2,500 to 3,000 single spaced, in a 12 pt font with normal margins. Paste your draft in to see the real count.
How many pages is 1,000 words?
Roughly four pages double spaced or two pages single spaced. Headings, tables and images change this, so use it as an estimate.
How do I calculate words per minute?
Divide the number of words by the minutes taken. Typing 300 words in five minutes is 60 words per minute. For reading or speaking time, divide your word count by a pace such as 238 for reading or 150 for a presentation, which is what this tool does as you type.
How accurate are the reading and speaking time estimates?
Reading time assumes about 238 words per minute and speaking time about 150, which are typical averages. Real speeds vary with the text and the reader, so treat the numbers as a guide, not a promise.
Use this word counter on your own site
Teachers, bloggers and course sites are welcome to embed it for free. Paste this where you want it to appear.
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