Word Counter
Last updated: April 28, 2026Count words, characters and reading time.
Word Counter is a free online tool to count words, characters and reading time. It runs entirely in your browser, so your files never leave your device — nothing is uploaded. There's no sign-up, no watermark, and it works on any modern browser on desktop or mobile.
How to use Word Counter
This free word counter gives you live word, character, sentence and paragraph counts the moment you start typing or paste your text. It also estimates reading and speaking time, so it is ideal for essays with strict limits, articles, and meta descriptions. Everything runs in your browser, with no sign-up and nothing ever uploaded.
Read the full guide: Word Counter: Count Words, Characters & Reading Time
- 1Type directly into the box or paste your existing text from any document.
- 2Watch the word, character, sentence and paragraph totals update instantly as you edit.
- 3Check the estimated reading and speaking time, then copy or refine your text to hit your target length.
Real-time counts
Word, character, sentence and paragraph totals update live with every keystroke.
Reading and speaking time
See estimated reading and speaking durations to plan articles, scripts and presentations.
Completely private
Your text is processed entirely in your browser and never sent to a server.
Hit an essay word limit
Paste your draft and watch the live word count so you land exactly within an assignment's range, like 1,500 words plus or minus ten percent. Because counting happens as you type, you can trim or expand specific paragraphs and see the total adjust instantly, instead of squinting at your document's status bar after every edit.
Time a speech or presentation script
The tool estimates speaking time from your word count at a natural delivery pace of about 130 words per minute, so you can size a script to a five-minute talk, a wedding toast or a YouTube intro. Read it aloud, adjust the wording, and trim sentences until the estimate matches your time slot before you ever rehearse.
Stay under social and SEO character limits
See your exact character total, with and without spaces, while you write so a post, bio or meta description fits a strict limit. Trim a 160-character meta description, a tight headline or a short bio in real time, watching the count tick down with every edit so nothing gets cut off when you publish or paste it in.
Word Counter — frequently asked questions
Does the word counter count characters with and without spaces?
Yes, it shows your total character count so you can match limits for tweets, meta descriptions and form fields. Word, sentence and paragraph counts are displayed alongside it for a full picture.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is estimated from an average adult reading speed applied to your word count. It is a close approximation meant to help you gauge length, not an exact measurement for every reader.
Is there a limit on how much text I can paste?
There is no fixed word or character limit because all counting happens locally in your browser. You can paste long articles or full documents and still get instant results.
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