How are words counted?
Any run of characters between spaces counts as a word, so a hyphenated term or a number counts as one. Punctuation on its own does not add a word. Platforms vary slightly, so check the rules for your submission.
Word Counter
Count words, characters, sentences and paragraphs as you type, with reading and speaking time estimates.
Runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded
About the Word Counter
Word limits appear in essays, applications, abstracts, social posts and SEO briefs, and each platform may count differently. Seeing words, characters with and without spaces, and sentences side by side helps you hit the right target.
Text is counted live in your browser. Words are separated by spaces, and each Chinese or Japanese character is counted on its own, since those languages do not use spaces between words.
FAQ
Word Counter — frequently asked
Why do characters with and without spaces differ?
Some submission systems limit characters including spaces, while others count only letters and digits. Use the count that matches the limit you are working to.
How is reading time estimated?
The calculator uses 238 words per minute, a widely cited average for adult silent reading of English. Slower readers, technical text and text with many numbers take longer.
Are Chinese characters counted as words?
They are counted as characters in their own row, not as words, because Chinese does not separate words with spaces. For mixed text, read both rows.
How are sentences detected?
A sentence ends at a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark followed by a space or the end of the text. Abbreviations such as e.g. can be counted as an extra sentence.
Is my text stored?
No. Your text is counted in your browser and is not saved or uploaded.
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