How Word & Character Counter works
Word & Character Counter analyses a block of text and surfaces six metrics in real time: word count, character count with spaces, character count without spaces, sentence count, paragraph count, and an estimated reading time based on a 200 wpm average. Sentence detection splits on terminal punctuation followed by whitespace; paragraphs split on blank lines.
How to use
Start typing or paste your draft into the input. The metrics panel updates on every keystroke. Use the counts to hit school or platform-specific limits (Twitter, Meta descriptions, essays).
Frequently asked questions
How does Word Counter define a "word"?
A word is any contiguous run of letters, numbers, or Unicode word characters separated by whitespace or punctuation. "don't" is one word; "foo-bar" is one word; "foo - bar" is three words.
Is the reading time accurate?
It assumes a 200-words-per-minute average adult silent reading speed. Real reading time varies by prose density, formatting, and reader, but 200 wpm is a widely cited baseline.
Does it count hyphenated words as one or two?
One. "state-of-the-art" counts as a single word, matching the convention used by most word processors and search engines.
Can I trust the sentence count for academic writing?
It is good enough for quick checks. Abbreviations ("e.g.", "Mr.") and decimal numbers ("3.14") may be over-counted as sentence boundaries. For manuscripts, use a dedicated style checker.
Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. The tool is fully client-side; paste or type, watch the counts change, and close the tab when done. Nothing is sent to a server.