Free Word Counter Tool
Word, character, sentence, and paragraph counts plus estimated reading time from plain string math in your browser.
Try sample text
About Word Counter
Metrics derive from React state on each change: no network calls, no persistence. Rules match the code so you can verify counts against any other tool.
How it works (technical)
Words: `trim()` then split on `/\s+/`. Characters: `text.length` and length after removing whitespace. Sentences: split on `/[.!?]+/`, keep non-empty segments. Paragraphs: split on `/\n\n+/`. Reading time: `Math.ceil(words / 200)` (200 WPM heuristic).
Whitespace-based word counts are unreliable for languages that do not separate words with spaces—use character counts instead.
Text stays in the page session; nothing is sent to WebTooly for analysis.
When to use it
Draft limits
Check length against assignment or CMS caps before you submit.
Talks and articles
Estimate word count and rough read time from pasted prose.
Edit passes
Compare counts after cuts without exporting to another app.
How to Use Word Counter
- 1Paste or type your text into the text area.
- 2Watch the statistics update automatically as you type.
- 3View word count, character count, sentences, paragraphs, and reading time.
- 4Use the clear button to reset and start fresh.
Key Features
- Counts from whitespace splits and regex splits (see technical details)
- Character count with and without spaces
- Sentence / paragraph heuristics; read time from words ÷ 200
- Clear and copy actions
Benefits
- •Updates as you type
- •Local-only text
- •Predictable, inspectable rules
Frequently Asked Questions
How are words counted?
Words are counted by splitting text on whitespace (spaces, tabs, newlines). Each continuous sequence of non-whitespace characters counts as one word.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is estimated based on an average reading speed of 200 words per minute, which is typical for adult readers.
Does it count words in other languages?
Yes, the word counter works with any language that uses spaces between words. For languages like Chinese or Japanese that don't use spaces, character count is more relevant.