How to Count Words in Any Text (Free Word Counter Guide)
Counting words matters for essays, articles, resumes and social posts. This guide shows how to count words accurately and what the numbers mean.
What is the Word Counter?
The Word Counter counts words, characters (with and without spaces), sentences and paragraphs, and estimates reading time at 200 words per minute.
How to use it
- Paste or type your text in the box.
- Click Count words.
- Read the counts and estimated reading time.
Worked example
Paste a 300-word paragraph and you get 300 words, about 1,800 characters and roughly 2 minutes of reading time.
How many words should a blog post be?
There is no single right length. A focused answer post can work at 600-900 words, while a full guide usually runs 1,200-1,800 words. Match length to the question, not to a quota.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Word Counter store my text?
No. Everything runs in your browser and your text never leaves your device.
What counts as a word?
Any run of characters separated by spaces or line breaks.