Word Counter
Count words in a text passage. Processing for supported tools happens locally in your browser.
About Word Counter
Use this browser-based utility for everyday tasks. Review output before relying on it and retain a copy of important originals.
Read the Word Counter guide →About Word Counter
A word counter helps estimate text length for a draft or check a stated word limit. Paste the text, review the displayed counts and confirm how the destination defines a word.
How to use Word Counter
- Paste or type the passage into the text field.
- Read the displayed word and character counts.
- Edit the passage and check the totals again.
- Review hyphenated words, numbers and punctuation if the limit is strict.
- Confirm the final count in the submission platform when its rules matter.
Getting a number you can trust
A general counter may not count exactly as a school, a publisher or a form does, and some systems include or leave out headings, references and footnotes. Paste only the part that should be counted, and if the limit is strict, leave a small margin and check the final count in the real system. Cutting words is easier when you remove repeated points than when you remove facts.
Frequently asked questions
How do I count the words in my text?
Paste or type your text into the box and press Count. The result shows the number of words. Your text stays in your browser and is not uploaded.
Why does another app show a different count?
Word-boundary rules vary for hyphens, contractions, symbols and punctuation. Follow the platform that will receive the text.
Does a word count measure reading time?
No. Reading time also depends on reading pace, language and content difficulty.
Why does another program show a different word count?
Programs treat hyphens, numbers, symbols and line breaks in different ways. Use the destination's own count for a strict limit.
More Text tools
- Character Counter: Count characters with or without spaces
- Case Converter: Change text to upper, lower or title case
- Text Cleaner: Clean repeated spaces and formatting from text
- Reading Time Calculator: Estimate how long a passage takes to read
- Remove Duplicate Lines: Remove repeated lines from a text list
- Sort Lines: Sort lines alphabetically
Want more detail, examples and answers to common questions? Read the Word Counter guide.