Count words and characters online
Whether you are writing an essay with a word limit, a meta description that must stay under 160 characters, or a social post, this free word counter gives you live totals as you type. It counts words, characters (with and without spaces), sentences, paragraphs and estimated reading time - all instantly, and all inside your browser, so your text stays private.
How to use it
- Type or paste your text into the box above.
- Watch the counts update in real time.
- No button to press, no signup, no limit.
Word limits people actually write against
| Writing task | Typical limit |
|---|---|
| College essay (Common App) | 650 words |
| IELTS Task 2 essay | 250 words minimum |
| Cover letter | 250 to 400 words |
| Blog post (SEO sweet spot) | 1,000 to 2,000 words |
| Abstract for a paper | 150 to 300 words |
| LinkedIn summary | 2,600 characters |
The counter updates words, characters, sentences and paragraphs live as you type or paste, so you can write straight against a limit instead of checking repeatedly.
Reading time and speaking time
Average adults read about 200 to 250 words per minute and speakers deliver about 130 to 150 words per minute. That means a 5 minute speech needs roughly 700 words and a 10 minute presentation about 1,400. The tool estimates both, which takes the guesswork out of preparing talks and voiceovers.
Common uses
- Essays, applications and assignments with strict limits
- Speeches and presentations timed by word count
- SEO content targets for articles and descriptions
- Keeping emails and summaries concise
Embed this tool on your website
Copy this code into your blog or website to give your readers a working Word Counter, free. Please keep the credit link.
Frequently asked questions
Is the word counter free?
Yes, completely free with no signup and no limit on text length.
Does my text get uploaded?
No. Counting happens in your browser, so your text never leaves your device.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is estimated at about 200 words per minute, the average adult reading speed.
What counts as a word?
Any sequence of characters separated by spaces or line breaks is counted as one word.