Word Counter
Paste any text and instantly see word count, characters, sentences, reading time and speaking time.
What is this tool?
Almost every piece of writing in the US comes with a length target: a 500-word college essay, a 1,500-word blog post, a two-minute speech, a 280-character post. This word counter updates live as you type or paste, showing words, characters with and without spaces, sentences and paragraphs, plus reading time at an average adult pace and speaking time at a typical presentation pace.
Writers use it to hit SEO briefs, students use it to check essay requirements before submitting, and speakers use the speaking-time estimate to rehearse — a 10-minute talk is roughly 1,300 words. Everything happens in your browser: your text is never uploaded, stored or shared, so drafts, cover letters and unpublished chapters stay private.
How to use it
- Paste or type your text into the box.
- Read the live counts in the results panel — no button to press.
- Edit the text and watch every number update instantly.
Formula & method
Worked example
A 1,000-word article takes roughly 5 minutes to read and about 7 to 8 minutes to read aloud. A standard double-spaced page holds about 250 words, so a 4-page essay is approximately 1,000 words.
Frequently asked questions
How many words should a blog post be?
It depends on the topic, but US content marketers commonly target 1,500 to 2,500 words for competitive how-to articles, since longer, genuinely helpful posts tend to rank better on Google.
How many words are in a 5-minute speech?
At a clear speaking pace of about 130 words per minute, a 5-minute speech is roughly 650 words. Slower, dramatic delivery can run closer to 550 words.
Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. The counting runs entirely in your web browser with JavaScript, so your text never leaves your device.