How to count words
- Paste or type your text. Everything is counted as you type.
- Check the numbers. Words, characters with and without spaces, sentences, paragraphs, reading time and the character limits are on the right.
- Edit and copy. Change the case if needed, then copy the text back to your document.
Popular uses for Word Counter
- Check a Common App or college essay against its 650-word limit.
- Keep a cover letter or a blog post at the right length.
- Count characters for an X post, a meta description or an Instagram caption.
How many words is that?
| Text | Typical length |
|---|---|
| College application essay (Common App) | 250 to 650 words |
| One page, single spaced | about 500 words |
| One page, double spaced | about 250 words |
| Cover letter | 250 to 400 words |
| Blog post | 1,000 to 2,000 words |
| 5-minute speech | about 650 to 750 words |
How words are counted
A word is any run of letters or numbers; words joined by a hyphen or an apostrophe (well-known, don't) count as one, like in Microsoft Word and Google Docs. Reading time uses 238 words a minute, the average for adults reading English, and speaking time 150 words a minute. Writing a cover letter? Try the cover letter generator.
Frequently asked questions
Is this word counter accurate?
Yes. It counts words the way Microsoft Word and Google Docs do, so the numbers match within a word or two.
Does it count characters too?
Yes, with and without spaces, and it shows how much is left for common limits such as 280 for an X post and 160 for a meta description.
How many pages is 1,000 words?
About 2 pages single spaced or 4 pages double spaced in a 12-point font.
Is my text saved or uploaded?
Your text never leaves your browser. It is kept in this browser only, so it is still there if you reload the page; click Clear to remove it.
Can it change text to uppercase or title case?
Yes. Use the UPPERCASE, lowercase, Title Case and Sentence case buttons.