Word counter
Text & WritingNo. 24 / 24approved
Counts words, characters, sentences and reading time as you type. Perfect for essays, tweets and SEO descriptions.
counting is free. like this widget, and like good advice.
work surface
Math, not advice — results are indicative. Read the disclaimer.
most-used utilities
X / Twitter post
X lets you post up to 280 characters. Set this as your goal and trim without touching the emoji — the emoji is non-negotiable.
SEO meta description
Google shows around 155–160 characters of your meta description. Set the goal to 160 and write the perfect pitch before the internet cuts you off.
School essay
The "minimum 500 words" mountain looms. Set the goal and watch the bar climb as one-liners become paragraphs, and paragraphs become a conclusion that says the same thing twice.
Newsletter
Readers decide in seconds whether your email is worth it. A 2-minute read (roughly 400 words) keeps them around. Set it and cut the fluff with a smile.
pro tips
Reading time assumes about 200 words per minute — the average, if you were wondering where the number came from.
A tweet is 280 characters, a meta description is around 160, and an essay is a thousand words you'll rewrite twice.
what it does
Type or paste anything and the numbers update as you go: characters (with and without spaces), words, sentences and paragraphs. No buttons, no waiting — the counter does its thing while you do yours, and it never judges that third paragraph you're definitely going to delete.
The reading and speaking estimates use standard averages — about 200 words per minute read, 130 words per minute spoken. Handy for speeches, video scripts, podcasts, and for finally proving to a friend that their "two-minute rant" was actually eleven.
Set a goal with the cards above and the progress bar fills as you type. Reach it and the widget gives you a small pat on the back, because counting words is lonely work.
Why the numbers matter: essays, tweets, newsletters, scripts and captions all come with limits, and the counter keeps you honest before anyone else counts for you. Everything runs in your browser — nothing you paste is sent anywhere, so your rough draft stays rough and stays yours.
quick answers
Does it count spaces?
Characters include spaces, because that's what Google and Twitter count. We also show characters without spaces, for the pedantic.
How is reading time calculated?
We assume about 200 words per minute, the average adult reading speed. It's an estimate — your mileage, and your bedtime, may vary.
Does my text leave my browser?
No. Everything is counted locally — your draft never travels anywhere.
What is the goal bar for?
Pick a goal from the cards above and the bar fills as you type — a friendly deadline for your word count.