$ ToolBench
/tools/word-counter

Word Counter

Paste or type text below and the counts update instantly. Nothing leaves your browser, so it works offline and on private documents.

Runs in your browserNo signupNothing uploaded
word-counter
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What this tool does

  • Live word, character, sentence, and paragraph counts as you type
  • Reading time and speaking time, with the words-per-minute rates stated
  • Character count both with and without spaces
  • Counts update with zero lag — no button to press

Also known as: word count tool, essay word counter, online word count.

Frequently asked questions

How is reading time calculated?

Reading time uses 238 words per minute, the median adult silent-reading speed from Brysbaert's 2019 meta-analysis. Speaking time uses 130 words per minute. Both rates are shown so you can sanity-check the estimate.

What counts as a word?

A word is any run of non-whitespace characters separated by spaces, tabs, or line breaks. This matches how Microsoft Word and Google Docs count, so totals line up with your document.

Is my text private?

Yes. Everything runs in your browser with JavaScript — nothing you type or paste is uploaded, logged, or sent to a server. You can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and it still works.

Do I need to sign up?

No. There is no account, no email, and no paywall. Open the page and use it.

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