Word Counter (Words, Characters, Reading Time)
Paste or type text to count words and characters instantly.
Word Counter (Words, Characters, Reading Time) by TheCalcTools
How the Word Counter (Words, Characters, Reading Time) works
Words are runs of letters or digits, including apostrophes and hyphens inside them, in any language that separates words with spaces. Sentences end with . ! or ?, and paragraphs are separated by blank lines.
Reading time uses 238 words per minute, the average silent reading speed for non-fiction in English found by a 2019 review; speaking time uses 140 words per minute, a typical presentation pace. Common short words are left out of the most-used list.
Worked example
“Paste or type your text here. The counts update as you type.” has 12 words and 2 sentences, about 3 seconds of reading.
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a page?
About 500 words single-spaced or 250 double-spaced in a 12-point font.
Is my text saved or uploaded?
No. Counting happens in your browser and nothing is stored.
Sources and further reading
- Brysbaert M. (2019) How many words do we read per minute? Journal of Memory and Language
- Wikipedia: Word count
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This calculator gives estimates for information only. Check important results independently before you rely on them. See our disclaimer.