What the word counter measures
- Words: groups of letters or numbers separated by spaces or punctuation. Hyphenated words like well-known count as one.
- Characters: every letter, number, space and symbol, including emoji.
- Characters without spaces: useful for translation quotes and some form limits.
- Sentences: text ending in a full stop, question mark, exclamation mark or ellipsis.
- Paragraphs: blocks of text separated by an empty line.
- Reading and speaking time: based on 238 words a minute for silent reading and 150 words a minute for speaking aloud.
Common word and character limits
| Type of text | Typical length |
|---|---|
| Page title for search results | 50 to 60 characters |
| Meta description | 140 to 160 characters |
| Post on X | 280 characters |
| Cover letter | 250 to 400 words |
| College application essay | 500 to 650 words |
| In-depth blog article | 1,200 to 2,500 words |
Always check the exact limit for your platform or assignment, as rules differ.
Using the keyword list
The most used words list ignores short common words such as the, and and with, so you can see what your text is really about. If a word appears far more than the rest, try a synonym to make your writing read more naturally. For web pages, make sure the main topic appears in your title, your first paragraph and at least one subheading.
Is my text private?
Yes. Counting happens with JavaScript on your own device. Nothing you type is sent to a server or stored, and closing the page clears it.
Tips for hitting a word count
If you are over the limit, cut filler phrases like in order to and it is important to note that, and turn passive sentences into active ones. If you are under, add a concrete example or answer a question your reader is likely to ask next.
Frequently asked questions
Does the word counter count numbers as words?
Yes. A number such as 2026 or 3.5 counts as one word.
How long does it take to read 1,000 words?
About 4 minutes at an average silent reading speed, or just under 7 minutes when spoken aloud.
How many words are on one page?
Around 500 words single-spaced or 250 words double-spaced, using a 12-point font.
Are emoji counted as characters?
Yes. Each emoji counts as one character, even if it is stored using several code units.
Can I use the word counter offline?
Once the page has loaded, counting works without an internet connection.
Last reviewed on by the Dailycaltor team.