Word Counter
This free word counter counts words, characters, sentences and paragraphs as you type or paste. It also shows reading time, speaking time, an estimate of double-spaced pages and your most-used words, so you can check an essay against a limit. Your text stays in your browser and is never stored.
Set a word target to track your progress.
Most-used words
Your text stays in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server.
How to Use the Word Counter
- Type or paste your text into the box.
- Read the counts, which update after each keystroke.
- Set a word target to see how far you are from your limit.
- Check the most-used words to spot repeated terms.
- Select Clear text to start again.
What the Word Counter Measures
| Measure | How it is calculated |
|---|---|
| Words | Groups of characters separated by spaces or line breaks |
| Characters | All characters, with and without spaces |
| Sentences | Text ending in a period, question mark or exclamation mark |
| Paragraphs | Blocks of text separated by line breaks |
| Reading time | Word count divided by about 238 words per minute |
| Speaking time | Word count divided by about 130 words per minute |
| Pages | About 275 words per double-spaced page and 550 per single-spaced page |
Page estimates assume a 12-point font and one-inch margins. Real page counts change with fonts, headings and tables.
Typical Word Counts for Student Writing
| Type of writing | Common length |
|---|---|
| Paragraph | 100 to 200 words |
| Short essay | 500 to 800 words |
| Five-paragraph essay | 500 to 1,000 words |
| Research paper | 1,500 to 5,000 words |
| Abstract | 150 to 250 words |
| College application essay | 250 to 650 words |
Always follow the limit in your assignment. These figures are common ranges, not rules.
How to Cut or Add Words Without Losing Quality
- To cut, remove repeated points, weak openers and filler phrases such as “it is important to note that.”
- To add, give a source, an example or a short analysis for each claim.
- Check the most-used words list. A word you repeat many times may need a synonym or a cut.
- Do not pad with empty sentences. Readers and graders notice.
Does a Word Counter Include Citations and Headings?
It counts everything you paste. Some instructors exclude the reference list, title page or quotes from the limit. Paste only the part that counts, or subtract those sections.
Word Counter Tips for Students
- Count the right part. Paste only the sections that count toward your limit.
- Check the limit type. Some courses count words, some count pages and some count characters.
- Leave a small margin. Many instructors accept a limit within about ten percent, but ask first.
- Use reading time to plan a talk. A 5-minute speech is about 650 words at an average speaking pace.
- Watch the average sentence length. A mix of short and long sentences reads more clearly.
Related Tools and Guides
- Thesis Statement Generator
- Citation Generator
- Outline Generator
- Research Question Generator
- Word Counter
Browse the Research Paper Help category for writing guides, or return to the Papers Open homepage.
Frequently asked questions
Is this word counter free?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up and works in your browser.
Does it store my text?
No. The count runs in your browser, and your text is never sent to a server.
How are words counted?
Any group of characters separated by spaces or line breaks counts as one word.
How many words are on a page?
About 275 words on a double-spaced page and about 550 on a single-spaced page, at 12-point type and one-inch margins.
How is reading time calculated?
It divides your word count by about 238 words per minute, an average silent reading speed for adults.
Does it count characters with and without spaces?
Yes. Both counts appear, because some limits count one and some the other.
Can I track a word limit?
Yes. Enter a target to see a progress bar and how many words remain.
Does the count match Word or Google Docs?
It is usually very close. Small differences can appear with hyphens, numbers and symbols.