Word & Character Counter
Words, characters, sentences and reading time for any block of text.
Last updated
Your details
Counts update as you type. Nothing is uploaded.
Result
- Words
- 20
- Characters
- 108
- Sentences
- 2
- Paragraphs
- 1
- Reading time
- 5 sec
- Speaking time
- 9 sec
- Longest word
- nothing
- Average word length
- 4.5 characters
89 without spaces
1 lines
At 238 words per minute, the average adult silent reading speed
At 140 words per minute, a comfortable presenting pace
How to use this calculator
- Type or paste your text. Every count updates as you type.
- Characters are shown both with and without spaces — most limits, including social platforms, count spaces.
- Reading and speaking times are estimates at 238 and 140 words per minute respectively.
- Nothing you type is uploaded. The counting happens entirely in your browser.
What counts as a word
A word here is any run of characters separated by whitespace, which is the same rule word processors use. Hyphenated compounds count as one, an ampersand standing alone counts as one, and a number counts as one.
That definition is deliberately mechanical, because it is the one your marker or your editor will apply. It does mean "twenty-one" counts as a single word while "twenty one" counts as two.
Reading time is an estimate, not a measurement
Adult silent reading of general prose averages around 238 words per minute, from a 2019 meta-analysis of nearly two hundred studies. Technical material runs slower and familiar material faster, so treat the figure as a guide rather than a promise.
Speaking is much slower. A comfortable presenting pace is about 140 words per minute, which is why a five-minute talk is roughly 700 words rather than 1,200.
Formula & methodology
What this calculator assumes
- 238 words per minute is the mean for silent reading of English non-fiction found by a meta-analysis of 190 studies. Individual rates vary widely, and technical material is read considerably slower.
- 140 words per minute reflects a measured, presentation-style speaking pace. Conversational speech runs faster and audiobooks are usually narrated between 150 and 160.
- Counts words by whitespace, so hyphenated compounds count as one and numerals count as words.
Sources
Common length limits
| Where | Limit | Counts |
|---|---|---|
| X / Twitter post | 280 characters | Characters, spaces included |
| Meta description | ~155 characters | Characters, before truncation in results |
| Page title | ~60 characters | Characters, before truncation in results |
| SMS, single message | 160 characters | GSM-7 characters; 70 if any emoji |
| LinkedIn post | 3,000 characters | Characters |
| UCAS personal statement | 4,000 characters | Characters, or 47 lines |
| Typical undergraduate essay | 1,500–2,500 words | Words |
Character limits almost always include spaces and punctuation. Word limits usually tolerate a 10% overrun, but check the brief.
Frequently asked questions
Is my text sent anywhere?
No. The counting runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded, stored or logged. You can disconnect from the network and it still works.
How many pages is 1,000 words?
About two pages double-spaced, or one page single-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman with normal margins. Layout changes this a lot, so count words rather than pages when a brief allows.
Do headings and citations count?
Usually headings do and reference lists do not, but conventions vary by institution and publisher. Check the brief — this tool counts everything you paste in.