How to use the word counter
Type or paste your text into the box. All counts update instantly as you type, so you can watch your word count while you write an essay, a blog post, a cover letter or a social media post.
What each number means
- Words – groups of letters or numbers separated by spaces. Hyphenated words such as “well-known” count as one word. Chinese, Japanese and Thai text, which is written without spaces, is split into words with your browser’s built-in dictionary.
- Characters – every visible character, space and line break. Emoji and accented letters count as one character each.
- Characters (no spaces) – the same count without spaces, tabs and line breaks.
- Bytes (UTF-8) – how much storage the text takes. Useful when a database field or an SMS has a byte limit.
- Reading and speaking time – estimated at 238 words per minute for silent reading and 140 words per minute for speaking, which helps when timing a speech or presentation.
FAQ
Is my text saved or uploaded?
No. Counting happens in your browser and your text never leaves your device. If you close or reload the page, the text is gone.
Why is my word count different from Microsoft Word or Google Docs?
Each program has slightly different rules for things like dashes, numbers and URLs, so counts can differ by a few words. For limits on school or job applications, leave yourself a small margin.
How many words is a page?
Roughly 500 words for a single-spaced page and 250 words for a double-spaced page with a 12-point font.