Word Counter
Count words, characters and reading time live — or upload a PDF/Word file.
How to use Word Counter
Type or paste your text into the box — or click Upload file to count a PDF, Word (.docx), Markdown or plain-text document.
Every stat updates live: words, unique words, characters (with and without spaces), sentences and paragraphs.
Check the estimated reading time (200 wpm) and speaking time (130 wpm), and toggle Top words for keyword density.
Use the Fullscreen button for a distraction-free view while you edit toward your limit.
A word counter that shows every count at once, live
There is no count button. Type or paste into the box and every statistic updates with each keystroke: words, characters with and without spaces, sentences, paragraphs, plus estimated reading and speaking time — each in its own tile above the text. That live loop is the whole point when you are writing against a limit: you edit in place and watch the number walk down toward 500.
The reason all the counts show at once is that real limits rarely speak the same unit. Essays are measured in words; application statements in characters including spaces; meta descriptions and SMS in characters alone; and plenty of web forms cut off by characters without saying so. Seeing all four together prevents the classic surprise — a text that "fit" by word count and gets truncated mid-sentence on paste.
Reading time and speaking time, not just totals
The two time estimates use the standard rates: 200 words per minute for silent reading — the usual adult pace for ordinary prose — and 130 for speaking aloud, the rate at which a talk sounds unhurried. They turn "1,900 words" into "about ten minutes read, nearly fifteen spoken," which is the number that actually matters when the writing has an audience.
For anyone preparing a talk, the speaking figure is the honest one: a five-minute slot holds roughly 650 spoken words, not the thousand you can read silently in that time. Paste the script, check the speaking time, and cut until the estimate matches the slot — more reliable than timing one nervous rehearsal.
- College essay limits → watch the word tile while trimming
- Application forms → characters with spaces is usually the real limit
- Meta descriptions → keep characters under ~155
- Speeches and presentations → speaking time at 130 wpm
Counting that never sends your text anywhere
The counting runs in your browser as you type: the text is not sent, not stored, and gone when the tab closes. That matters more for a word counter than it sounds, because what people paste is unpolished drafts — cover letters, thesis chapters, legal text — precisely the material nobody wants sitting on someone else's server before it is ready.
Local also means instant at any size: pasting a 50,000-word manuscript updates every tile immediately, with no upload and nothing to wait for. And it keeps working with the network disconnected, because there is nothing on the other end to call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I count the words in a PDF or Word document?
Yes — click Upload file and pick a .pdf or .docx file. The text is extracted right in your browser and counted instantly; the file is never uploaded to a server.
How is reading time calculated?
At an average of 200 words per minute for silent reading and 130 for speaking aloud — the common standards for essays and speeches.
Is my text stored or sent anywhere?
No. Counting happens in your browser as you type; the text and any uploaded file never leave your device.
Does it work for essays with limits like 500 words?
Yes — paste your draft and watch the word count live while you edit toward the limit.
Does the word counter update as I type?
Yes — every statistic recalculates live with each keystroke, so you can edit directly in the box and watch the counts move toward your limit. There is no button to press.
Does it count characters with and without spaces?
Both, side by side, along with words, sentences and paragraphs. Forms usually count characters including spaces; SMS and meta descriptions count them without — having both visible covers either rule.
Is there a maximum text length?
No practical one — counting is local and instant, so even a book-length manuscript updates immediately. There is no upload step to impose a size cap.
Can I use it for essays with a strict word limit?
That is the core use: paste the draft, keep an eye on the Words tile, and trim in place until it fits. Because nothing is stored, copy your final text back out before closing the tab.
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