How to use the word counter
Type straight into the box or paste text from Word, Google Docs, an email or a website. All the numbers update as you type. Your text is saved automatically in your own browser, so it is still there if you close the tab by mistake – and it is never uploaded anywhere. Press Clear to start again.
What each number means
- Words: groups of letters or numbers separated by spaces or punctuation. "Well-known" and "don't" count as one word each.
- Characters: every letter, number, space and punctuation mark.
- No spaces: characters without spaces and line breaks – some forms and translation jobs use this count.
- Sentences: text ending in a full stop, question mark, exclamation mark or the Hindi purna viram (।).
- Paragraphs: blocks of text separated by an empty line.
- Reading time: based on an average silent reading speed of about 200 words per minute.
- Speaking time: based on a comfortable speaking pace of about 130 words per minute – useful for speeches and presentations.
Common word and character limits
| Where | Typical limit |
|---|---|
| X (Twitter) post | 280 characters |
| SMS message | 160 characters |
| Google search description | About 155–160 characters |
| Instagram caption | 2,200 characters |
| School essay | Often 250, 500 or 1,000 words |
| 2-minute speech | About 250–300 words |
The line under the counter tells you when your text goes over the X, SMS or search-description limits.
Tips for writing to a word limit
- Cut filler words like "very", "really", "basically" and "in order to".
- Check your most used words. If one word appears again and again, try a synonym or rewrite the sentence.
- Keep sentences short. Aim for an average of 15–20 words per sentence for easy reading.
- Read it aloud. The speaking time helps you check whether a speech fits your time slot.
Frequently asked questions
Does the word counter work with Hindi?
Yes. Words written in Hindi (Devanagari) and other Indian scripts are counted, and the Hindi full stop (।) is recognised as the end of a sentence.
Is my text saved or uploaded?
Your text is saved only in your own browser so you don't lose it. It is never sent to our servers.
Are numbers counted as words?
Yes. A number such as 2026 or 3.5 counts as one word, just like in most word processors.
Why is my count slightly different from Microsoft Word?
Different programs treat things like dashes, URLs and symbols slightly differently, so counts can vary by a few words. For school and work limits, the difference is usually tiny.