Word Counter
Instantly count words, characters, sentences, paragraphs, and reading time – accurate, beautiful, and 100% free.
Words
0
Characters
0
With Spaces
0
Sentences
0
Paragraphs
0
Estimated Reading Time
0 min
How Word Counting Works – Transparent & Accurate
Our word counter uses reliable, standard algorithms to deliver results consistent with professional tools like Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
- Words: Counted by splitting text on whitespace (spaces, tabs, line breaks). Hyphenated words and contractions (don't, well-known) count as one word.
- Characters (without spaces): Every letter, number, punctuation, and symbol – spaces excluded.
- Characters (with spaces): Total length including all spaces and line breaks.
- Sentences: Detected by endings: period (.), question mark (?), or exclamation mark (!). Handles abbreviations intelligently.
- Paragraphs: Counted by empty lines or major line breaks (double \n).
- Reading Time: Calculated using the research-backed average of 238 words per minute for adults (source: studies by Iris Reading & academic research).
All calculations happen instantly in your browser – no data is sent to servers, ensuring complete privacy.
When to Use a Word Counter
Essays & Assignments
Meet exact word limits (e.g., 500–1000 words) for school or university papers.
Blog & SEO Writing
Optimize content length – ideal blog posts are 1,500–2,500 words for ranking.
Social Media
Stay within character limits: Twitter/X (280), LinkedIn posts, Instagram captions.
More Free Writing & Productivity Tools
Explore our other helpful tools on NovaBuildr:
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a word counter work?
By splitting text on spaces for words, counting characters, and detecting sentence/paragraph breaks via punctuation and line breaks.
Why do results vary between tools?
Different handling of punctuation, hyphens, and multiple spaces. We follow standard professional rules.
How is reading time calculated?
Using 238 words per minute – the average adult silent reading speed.
With or without spaces?
We show both for maximum accuracy and flexibility.
Is my text private?
Yes – everything processes locally in your browser.