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Text Tools • Free Online Tool

Word Counter

Count words, characters, sentences and reading time. No signup required.

✓ Free to use✓ Easy to use✓ Mobile friendly
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Word Counter — illustrated online Text Tools tool workspace

Word Counter Tool

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What Is Word Counter?

Count words, characters, sentences and estimated reading time as you type or paste text. A free word counter for essays, articles and social posts.

A word is counted as a group of characters separated by whitespace. Reading time assumes about 200 words per minute; punctuation-based sentence detection is approximate.

How to Use Word Counter

  1. Paste or type your text, then select Count. The tool reports words, Unicode characters, non-whitespace characters, approximate sentence count and estimated reading time.
  2. Check the input and run the tool with a small sample first.
  3. Review the result and use Copy Result when you need to reuse it.

Features and Benefits

Free access

Use the utility without a paid plan or account.

Focused workflow

Simple inputs and clear output for the task.

Responsive design

Use the tool from a phone, tablet or computer.

Practical guidance

Examples and explanations help you check results.

Example and Important Notes

Example: Try: “Writing useful guides takes practice.” The counter should report five words.

Things to remember: A word is counted as a group of characters separated by whitespace. Reading time assumes about 200 words per minute; punctuation-based sentence detection is approximate.

When to Use This Tool

  • Check a draft against a word limit
  • Estimate reading time before publishing
  • Compare the length of two versions of a paragraph

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Word Counter do?

Count words, characters, sentences and estimated reading time as you type or paste text. A free word counter for essays, articles and social posts.

How do I use Word Counter?

Paste or type your text, then select Count. The tool reports words, Unicode characters, non-whitespace characters, approximate sentence count and estimated reading time.

What should I know about the result?

A word is counted as a group of characters separated by whitespace. Reading time assumes about 200 words per minute; punctuation-based sentence detection is approximate.

Is Word Counter free to use?

Yes. This tool is available without signing up.