0
Words
0
Characters
0
No spaces
0
Lines
0
Sentences
0
Paragraphs
Reading time: ~1 min
How to use
01
Paste or type your text
Drop your draft into the large text box at the top. Every statistic recalculates on each keystroke, so you can edit in place and watch the totals move as you cut or add.
02
Read the six stat boxes
Below the box you'll see Words, Characters, No spaces, Lines, Sentences, and Paragraphs in a grid. The Words figure counts anything separated by whitespace, so a hyphenated term counts once.
03
Check the reading time line
Under the grid, the tool estimates reading time at 200 words per minute. Use it to sanity check whether a blog draft runs long before you send it to an editor.
Why Word Counter
- Live counts, updates as you type.
- Words, characters, lines, sentences, paragraphs, reading time.
- 100% client-side, your text never leaves your browser.
Common questions
How does this word counter decide what counts as a word?
It splits your text on whitespace, so anything between spaces, tabs, or line breaks is one word. That means don't is a single word and a hyphenated compound like well-known is too. This matches how most word processors behave, though edge cases can differ slightly.
Can I count words free without signing up?
Yes. There's no account, no paywall, and no cap on how often you use it. You can count words free as many times as you like, and nothing you paste is stored anywhere.
Does the word count update while I'm still typing?
It does. All six statistics and the reading time recalculate on every keystroke. There's nothing to click, which makes it practical to trim a draft down to a limit in real time.
Is my text uploaded when I check my word count?
No. The counting happens entirely in your browser with JavaScript. Confidential reports, unpublished manuscripts, and client work are all safe to paste because the text never touches a server.
Why does my word count differ from Microsoft Word by a few words?
Different programs tokenize text differently. Word treats some punctuation, like slashes and dashes between words, as separators, while this tool splits only on whitespace. The gap is usually a handful of words on a long document, well under one percent.
What's the difference between the word and character totals?
The character figure counts every letter, digit, space, and punctuation mark, while the word figure counts whitespace-separated chunks. The No spaces box strips spaces, tabs, and line breaks first. Platforms like Twitter limit characters, while essays and articles are measured in words.
Can the word count keep up with a full manuscript?
Yes, it copes fine with tens of thousands of words since everything runs in browser memory. Very large files may make typing feel sluggish on older machines, but pasting and reading the totals stays fast.
How accurate is the reading time shown under the word count?
It assumes 200 words per minute, a reasonable average for adult silent reading. Real speeds range from about 150 to 300 depending on the reader and the material. If you want to change the rate, the Reading Time Calculator lets you set any speed.