Count words, characters, sentences and reading time instantly
Paste your text below — all processing happens in your browser
Paste any text to instantly see six metrics: word count, character count (with spaces), sentences, paragraphs, average word length, and estimated reading time. Useful for checking essay limits, optimizing social media posts, or estimating how long a piece takes to read.
Everything runs in your browser — your text is never uploaded to a server. You can use this tool offline after the page loads once.
Type or paste text into the box above. Statistics update automatically as you type. Use the Sample Text button to test the tool, Copy Stats to share your metrics, or Download to save a text file with your full analysis.
Check word count against assignment limits before submitting. Most undergraduate essays range from 1,000–3,000 words; dissertations often hit 10,000+.
Long-form content (1,500+ words) tends to rank better in search results. Use the counter to hit target lengths without fluff.
Stay within platform character limits. Twitter's 280-character cap is strict; Instagram and LinkedIn allow more room but engagement drops after 125–150 words.
Keep emails concise. Studies show 50–125 words is the sweet spot for response rates. Use reading time to estimate how long your message takes to absorb.
News articles typically run 500–800 words; features may extend to 2,000+. Editors often assign by word count — this tool keeps you on target.
Technical documentation and business reports often have length requirements. Use paragraph count to check structural balance.
No. All counting happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your text never leaves your device or is transmitted to any server.
Reading time is calculated at 200 words per minute, which is the average adult reading speed for English text on screens. Dense technical text may take longer; skimming may be faster.
A word is any sequence of characters separated by whitespace. Hyphenated terms like "well-known" count as one word. Numbers and symbols attached to words (e.g., "Chapter 1") are included in the word they adjoin.
Yes. Click the Download button to save a text file containing your statistics and the original text. You can also copy stats to your clipboard with one click.
Yes. The tool is fully responsive and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. Use it anywhere without installing an app.
Quick answer: paste or type your text and the word, character, sentence and paragraph counts update instantly. Reading time is the word count divided by 200 words per minute, so 1,000 words takes about 5 minutes to read.
Approximate figures for standard 12-point text:
| Words | Single-spaced pages | Double-spaced pages | Reading time at 200 wpm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 | ½ | 1 | 2 min (rounded up) |
| 500 | 1 | 2 | about 3 min |
| 1,000 | 2 | 4 | about 5 min |
| 1,500 | 3 | 5 to 6 | about 8 min |
| 2,000 | 4 | 7 to 8 | about 10 min |
| 5,000 | 10 | 17 to 20 | about 25 min |
Words are split on spaces and line breaks. Sentences are counted from ending punctuation, so abbreviations can add extra counts. Reading time rounds up to the next minute. Your text stays in your browser.
How do I count words in a text?
Paste or type your text into the box and the count updates as you type. Words are counted as groups of characters separated by spaces or line breaks.
How many words is one page?
It depends on font, size and spacing. As a rough guide, a single-spaced page of 12-point text holds about 500 words and a double-spaced page about 250 to 300 words.
How long does it take to read 1,000 words?
This tool assumes 200 words per minute, so 1,000 words is about 5 minutes. Silent reading speeds vary from about 200 to 300 words a minute, and speaking aloud is slower, around 130 to 150 words a minute.
Does it count characters with and without spaces?
The Characters box counts everything including spaces. Average word length is worked out from characters without spaces.
How does it count sentences?
It counts sentence-ending marks (full stops, question marks and exclamation marks). Abbreviations such as Dr. and numbers such as 3.5 can add extra counts, so treat the number as a guide.
How does it count paragraphs?
A paragraph is a block of text separated from the next by a blank line.
Is my text uploaded or stored?
No. The counting runs in your browser and your text is not sent to a server.
What is the character limit for X, Instagram and LinkedIn?
On a standard account X allows 280 characters per post, Instagram captions allow 2,200 and LinkedIn posts allow 3,000. Limits can change, so check the platform if you are close to the edge.
How long should a meta description be?
Search results usually show about 155 to 160 characters, so keep it close to that. Title tags are best at about 60 characters or fewer.