How the counts work
- Words — groups of characters separated by spaces or line breaks that contain at least one letter or digit. "Well-known", "don't" and "3.5" each count as one word; a dash standing alone between spaces doesn't count.
- Characters — everything, including spaces, punctuation and line breaks. Most emoji count as one character, though some combined emoji count as several.
- Characters without spaces — the same count with spaces, tabs and line breaks removed.
- Sentences — text ending in a period, question mark or exclamation point followed by a space or the end of the text. Decimal numbers such as $3.50 aren't split, but abbreviations like "Dr." or "e.g." are counted as sentence ends, so technical writing may show a slightly high number.
- Paragraphs — lines that contain text. Blank lines are ignored, so it doesn't matter whether you separate paragraphs with one line break or two.
Reading and speaking time
Reading time assumes 238 words per minute. A 2019 meta-analysis of reading-rate studies by psychologist Marc Brysbaert put the average adult's silent reading speed at about 238 words per minute for nonfiction and about 260 for fiction. Your own speed may be quite different, and dense technical material reads slower.
Speaking time assumes 130 words per minute, a deliberate, comfortable pace for a speech or presentation with natural pauses. Everyday conversation is usually faster. If you have a strict time slot, rehearse out loud with a timer — pauses, slides and audience reactions all add time.
| Words | Reading time | Speaking time |
|---|---|---|
| 250 | 1 min 3 sec | 1 min 55 sec |
| 500 | 2 min 6 sec | 3 min 51 sec |
| 1,000 | 4 min 12 sec | 7 min 42 sec |
| 1,500 | 6 min 18 sec | 11 min 32 sec |
| 2,500 | 10 min 30 sec | 19 min 14 sec |
Common length limits
| Where | Limit |
|---|---|
| Post on X (Twitter), standard account | 280 characters |
| Single SMS text message | 160 characters |
| Instagram caption | 2,200 characters |
| LinkedIn post | 3,000 characters |
| Common App personal essay | 650 words |
| Search result description (approximate display) | about 150–160 characters |
Platforms change their limits from time to time, so check the current rules for anything important. Character limits usually include spaces. School and journal word limits differ on whether titles, citations and footnotes count, so follow the guidelines you were given.
Using the counts to edit
- Average sentence length is words ÷ sentences. Plain-language guidance for writers often suggests aiming for an average of 15 to 20 words. The sample text above averages 11.
- Cutting to a limit: remove filler words (very, really, just, that), turn passive sentences active, and replace phrases like "in order to" with "to".
- Padding to a minimum: add an example, a number or a counterargument rather than longer wording. Readers notice padding.
Your text stays private
The counting runs as JavaScript in your browser tab. The text is not sent to a server, saved or logged, and the results never repeat your text back. Closing or reloading the page clears it, so keep your own copy of anything important.
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a page?
Roughly 500 words for a single-spaced page and 250 for a double-spaced page, using a 12-point font and 1-inch margins. Font, spacing and paragraph length change this considerably.
Are hyphenated words and contractions counted as one word?
Yes. "Mother-in-law" and "wouldn’t" each count as one word, matching how most word processors count.
How long does it take to read 1,000 words?
About 4 minutes 12 seconds at the average silent reading speed of 238 words per minute, and about 7 minutes 42 seconds to read aloud at 130 words per minute.
Is my text saved or sent anywhere?
No. Everything is counted in your browser. The text never leaves your device and disappears when you close or reload the page.
Why does my word processor show a slightly different count?
Programs treat edge cases differently: a dash between spaces, URLs, numbers with symbols and some punctuation can be counted as words by one program and not another. Differences are usually a few words at most.
Last updated: October 8, 2026