Word Counter
Paste or type text below to count words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs, and estimate reading time. Updates live as you type.
Your text
Words: 0
Characters (with spaces): 0
Characters (no spaces): 0
Sentences: 0
Paragraphs: 0
Reading time: 0 sec
Speaking time (~130 wpm): 0 sec
How reading time is estimated
Reading time is calculated by dividing the word count by an average silent-reading speed of about 225 words per minute — a commonly cited figure for adult readers processing straightforward text. Speaking time uses a slower rate (~130 words per minute), matching typical spoken presentation pace, which is why the same word count produces two different time estimates.
Frequently asked questions
Why might my actual reading time differ from the estimate? Reading speed varies significantly by individual, text complexity, and familiarity with the subject — technical or dense material is read more slowly than casual conversational text, so treat this as a rough guideline rather than a precise measurement.
How is a "sentence" counted? The counter looks for text ending in a period, exclamation point, or question mark — so unconventional punctuation, abbreviations, or missing end punctuation can occasionally cause the sentence count to be approximate rather than exact.
Why count characters both with and without spaces? Some platforms (like social media character limits) count every character including spaces, while others report only non-space characters — having both figures covers either requirement.