📝 Writing Tool

Word Counter

Count words, characters, sentences, paragraphs and reading time — live as you type. Platform limits for Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and more.

Live counting

0 Words

0 Characters

0 Chars (no spaces)

0Sentences

0Paragraphs

0Lines

0Unique words

📖

0 min read

Enter text to calculate reading time

WPM

Platform character limits 0 chars used

Top words Hide stop words

Start typing to see word frequency…

How does this word counter work?

The counter updates in real time with every keystroke. Words are counted as any sequence of non-whitespace characters — the same definition used by most professional writing tools. Sentences are counted by terminal punctuation (. ! ?) and paragraphs by double line breaks or blank lines.

Reading time is calculated by dividing the total word count by your chosen reading speed (default 238 wpm — the average for adult non-fiction readers). Adjust the WPM field to match your own pace or your target audience.

✍️ Essays & assignments

Stay within word limits for school assignments, college applications, or scholarship essays with the live counter.

🐦 Social media

Check character counts against Twitter (280), LinkedIn (3,000) and Instagram (2,200) limits before posting.

📰 Blog & SEO

Aim for the ideal word count for your content type. Blog posts: 1,500–2,500 words. Landing pages: 500–1,000 words.

📧 Emails & cover letters

Keep professional emails under 300 words and cover letters between 250–400 words for optimal response rates.

Frequently asked questions

How do I count words online?

Type or paste your text into the input box above — the word count updates instantly as you type. A word is any sequence of characters separated by whitespace.

What is the average reading speed?

The average adult reads approximately 238 words per minute for non-fiction. Fiction averages around 260 wpm. You can change the WPM setting in the reading time box to match your specific audience or reading speed.

How many characters does Twitter allow?

Twitter (now X) allows 280 characters per tweet for standard accounts. The platform bar shows a live progress bar so you can see exactly how close you are to the limit as you type.

What is the character limit for Instagram captions?

Instagram allows up to 2,200 characters in a caption. However, only the first 125 characters show before the "more" cutoff, so leading with your key message is important for engagement.

How is reading time calculated?

Reading time is estimated by dividing the total word count by the reading speed in words per minute. For 500 words at 238 wpm the estimated reading time is just over 2 minutes. Adjust the WPM field for your specific use case.