Word Counter
Count words, characters, sentences and reading time for any text instantly.
Results
The 7ESL Word Counter counts the words, characters, and sentences in your text and updates the moment you type. There is no button to press and nothing to send away: everything is worked out instantly in your own browser, so it is fast and your text stays private. Paste an essay, a blog post, a tweet, or a job application, and the counter shows you exactly how long it is, along with an estimate of how long it takes to read aloud.
How to use the Word Counter
Type or paste your text into the box. The counts appear straight away and keep refreshing as you add or delete words, so you can watch the numbers move while you write. There are no settings to configure and nothing to install. Because the work happens locally, you can use it on very long documents without any wait, and you can edit freely until the length is exactly where you want it.
Reading the results
The tool shows five figures side by side. Words counts every run of non-space characters, the number most assignments and limits are based on. Characters counts everything including spaces, while Characters (no spaces) strips the spaces out, which is the count many social posts and form fields use. Sentences is an estimate based on full stops, question marks, and exclamation marks, so it gives a quick sense of how your text is broken up. Reading time estimates how long the text takes to read at a typical pace of around 200 words a minute.
Why word counts matter
Most writing comes with a length target. Essays and reports have word limits, search snippets and meta descriptions have character limits, and posts on social platforms cut off after a set number of characters. Keeping an eye on these counts as you write saves you from cutting or padding at the last minute. The reading-time figure is useful for speeches, presentations, and video scripts, where you need words to fit a set number of minutes. Writers and students also use the counter to set daily goals and track progress.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Word Counter count words?
It counts every group of non-space characters as one word, which matches the way most assignments, editors, and word limits count. The figures update instantly as you type or paste.
What is the difference between the two character counts?
Characters counts everything in your text including spaces, while Characters (no spaces) leaves the spaces out. Some platforms and form fields use one and some use the other, so both are shown.
How is the reading time worked out?
It is an estimate based on an average reading pace of about 200 words per minute. It is handy for speeches, scripts, and presentations where your text needs to fit a set length.
Is my text sent anywhere?
No. All the counting happens in your own browser, so your text never leaves your device. That makes the tool both fast and private, even for long documents.
Is the Word Counter free?
Yes, it is completely free to use in any modern web browser, with no sign-up required.