Count characters, bytes and SMS segments, and check text against common platform limits.
Word Counter
Count words, sentences and paragraphs, estimate reading and speaking time, and spot overused words.
Runs in your browser — nothing you enter is sent to our servers
How it works
- Words are runs of letters or numbers; hyphenated words (“well-known”) and contractions (“don’t”) count as one.
- Sentences end with . ! or ?; paragraphs are separated by a blank line.
- Reading time uses about 238 words per minute, a commonly cited average for adult silent reading; speaking time uses about 140 words per minute, a typical presentation pace.
- Most-used words ignore common filler words so you can spot repetition.
Need exact character limits for SMS, posts or meta descriptions? Use the character counter.
Example
A 1,200-word blog post takes about 5 minutes to read (1,200 ÷ 238) and roughly 8.6 minutes to read aloud (1,200 ÷ 140). If “tool” appears 30 times, it will top the most-used list — a hint to vary your wording.
Frequently asked questions
How is reading time calculated?
We divide the word count by an average adult silent-reading speed of about 238 words per minute, a figure commonly cited from reading research. Speaking time uses about 140 words per minute, a typical presentation pace. Your own speed may differ.
What counts as a word?
Any run of letters or numbers separated by spaces or punctuation. Hyphenated words like “well-known” count as one word, as do contractions like “don’t”.
Is my text saved or uploaded?
No. Counting happens in your browser as you type. Nothing is sent to ToolTarvern or stored after you close the page.
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