Free Online Word Counter
Count words, characters, sentences, and lines in any text, and get an estimated reading time as you type. Drafters, students, and copywriters use word limits every day, and this counter keeps up in real time without a single network request.
How to use the Word Counter
- Paste or type your text into the input area; nothing is uploaded anywhere.
- Watch the word, character, sentence, and line totals update instantly on every keystroke.
- Check the estimated reading time to see how long an average reader would need.
- Edit your text in place until it fits the limit you are targeting.
When the Word Counter is useful
- Hitting a strict essay, abstract, or application limit before submission.
- Writing meta descriptions, tweets, or ad copy inside character ceilings.
- Estimating reading time for blog posts and newsletter sections.
- Checking that translated text still matches the length of the source language.
How the Word Counter works
Word boundaries are detected with a whitespace-splitting routine, so hyphenated compounds like "well-known" count as one word. The reading-time estimate assumes a typical adult reading speed of about 200 words per minute, which is the range most publishing guides use for general audiences. Because the counting logic runs as plain JavaScript inside your browser, pasting confidential drafts is safe: the text sits in the page's memory only and disappears when you close the tab.
Limits to keep in mind
The counter treats every whitespace-separated token as a word, so files with unusual formatting (CSV rows, code snippets) may count differently than a word processor would.
Frequently asked questions
Does my text get uploaded to a server?
No. Counting happens entirely in your browser, so your draft never leaves your device.
What reading speed does the reading time use?
About 200 words per minute, a common average for adult readers of general prose.
Can I count words in a different language?
Yes, any text you can paste works, since counting is based on whitespace between words.
Last reviewed: October 2026.