Word Counter
Count words, characters, sentences, paragraphs and estimated reading time live as you type - the quick stats every writer needs.
Updated September 2026 · Written and verified by Akash Pandey
Word Counter
How to use the word counter
- Type, paste or drop text into the box.
- All statistics update live below - words, characters, characters without spaces, sentences, paragraphs and reading time.
- Click any stat to copy it, or use Copy text / Clear for the text itself.
Frequently asked questions
What defines a "word"?
Any run of characters separated by whitespace (space, tab, newline). Punctuation attached to a word is part of it, matching how Word and most editors count.
Which character counts are shown?
Total characters including spaces and newlines, and characters excluding spaces. Character limits like Twitter's historically counted the total.
How is reading time calculated?
Using the standard 238 words per minute for English (the accepted average for typical reader speed), rounded to the nearest minute.
Do sentences include abbreviations and decimals?
Sentence detection counts terminators (. ! ?) followed by whitespace or end-of-input, so abbreviations like "Mr." are usually merged sensibly.
Does it work offline?
Yes - counting is pure client-side JavaScript, so there is no network dependency at all.
Is my text saved anywhere?
No. The text stays in your browser tab; close the page and it is gone.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is estimated based on an average adult reading speed of 200 to 250 words per minute, rounded to the nearest minute.
Does the word counter count hyphenated words as one or two words?
Hyphenated compounds (e.g. "state-of-the-art") are treated as single words according to standard typographical conventions.