📝 Word Counter
Paste your text to count words, characters, sentences and paragraphs, and estimate how long it takes to read or say aloud.
Quick answer: Reading time = words ÷ 238 words per minute. For example, a 1,000-word article takes about 4 min 12 sec to read silently and 6 min 40 sec to speak aloud at 150 words per minute.
Updated · Free · No sign-up · Works on any device
Word Counter inputs
Result
Words
30
- Characters
- 188
- Characters (no spaces)
- 158
- Sentences
- 3
- Paragraphs
- 2
- Reading time (238 wpm)
- 8 sec
- Speaking time (150 wpm)
- 12 sec
Top keywords
| Keyword | Count | Density |
|---|---|---|
| time | 2 | 6.7% |
| characters | 1 | 3.3% |
| counter | 1 | 3.3% |
| estimates | 1 | 3.3% |
| keywords | 1 | 3.3% |
Common words such as "the", "and" and "of" are ignored.
How the word counter works
A word is any sequence of letters or numbers, with internal apostrophes and hyphens allowed. Sentences end with a full stop, question mark, exclamation mark or ellipsis, and paragraphs are separated by a blank line.
Reading time = words ÷ 238 wpm · Speaking time = words ÷ 150 wpm
The 238 words-per-minute figure comes from a large review of reading-speed studies for adults reading English non-fiction silently. Comfortable presentation speech is around 150 wpm.
Worked example
A 1,000-word blog post: 1,000 ÷ 238 = 4.2 minutes, or about 4 min 12 sec to read. Read aloud at 150 wpm it takes 1,000 ÷ 150 = 6.67 minutes – 6 min 40 sec.
Typical word counts
| Type of writing | Usual length |
|---|---|
| Tweet / X post | Up to 280 characters |
| Meta description | 140–160 characters |
| College admission essay | 250–650 words |
| Blog post | 1,000–2,000 words |
| Short story | 1,000–7,500 words |
| Novel | 70,000–100,000 words |
Using the keyword list
The top-keywords table ignores filler words such as "the", "and" and "with", so you can see which topics dominate your text. If one keyword's density climbs above 3–4%, consider using synonyms – it reads more naturally and avoids looking like keyword stuffing.
Tips
- Trim long sentences: aim for an average of 15–20 words per sentence for easy reading.
- Keep paragraphs short on screens – three or four sentences is plenty.
- For speeches, rehearse with a timer; pauses and audience reactions add time.
Limits on application forms and social posts are usually strict, so check the count shown here against the exact rule – some count characters with spaces, others words.
Frequently asked questions
How are words counted?
Any run of letters or digits counts as one word. Contractions such as "don't" and hyphenated words such as "well-known" count as a single word, matching how most word processors count.
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
At a typical speaking pace of about 150 words per minute, a 5-minute speech is roughly 750 words. Slow, deliberate speakers may manage 120 wpm, so aim for 600–750 words.
Do characters include spaces?
Both are shown. Social networks such as X (Twitter) count spaces, while some translation and publishing rates are quoted per character without spaces.
Is my text saved?
No. Counting happens in your browser and nothing you type is uploaded or stored.