Word & Character Counter

What this word counter does

This is a free word and character counter that updates in real time as you type or paste. It shows your word count, character count (with and without spaces), the number of sentences and paragraphs, and an estimated reading time. There is nothing to install and no signup, and your text never leaves your browser.

What it counts

• Words: anything separated by spaces or line breaks.
• Characters: every character, including spaces.
• Characters without spaces: handy for tight limits like meta descriptions.
• Sentences: text ending in a period, question mark or exclamation mark.
• Paragraphs: blocks of text separated by a blank line.
• Reading time: based on an average reading speed of 200 words per minute.

Common character and word limits

Where	Recommended limit
SEO title tag	around 60 characters
Meta description	around 155 to 160 characters
X (Twitter) post	280 characters
Instagram caption	2,200 characters
SMS (single message)	160 characters

Frequently asked questions

Does the character count include spaces?

Yes. The “Characters” stat includes spaces, and a separate “No spaces” stat leaves them out, which is useful for limits like SEO meta descriptions.

How is reading time calculated?

Reading time is your word count divided by an average reading speed of 200 words per minute, rounded to the nearest minute.

Is my text saved or sent anywhere?

No. Everything runs inside your browser, so your text stays completely private.