Word Counter
Count words, characters, sentences, paragraphs, and estimate reading time — all in real-time as you type.
📖 How to Use
Simply type or paste your text in the box above. The word count, character count, sentence count, paragraph count, and estimated reading/speaking time will update instantly as you type.
Word Count Guidelines by Content Type
Knowing the right word count for your content type is just as important as the writing itself. Too short and you lack depth; too long and you lose your reader. Here are research-backed guidelines for the most common content formats.
Blog Posts & Articles
1,500 – 2,500 words. Studies from HubSpot and Backlinko show that long-form blog posts (1,500+ words) rank higher in Google search results. The sweet spot for comprehensive, SEO-friendly content is around 2,000 words.
Social Media Posts
40 – 100 words. Twitter posts average 10-40 words. LinkedIn posts that perform best are 50-100 words. Facebook engagement peaks around 40-80 words. Keep it concise — social audiences scroll fast.
Academic Papers & Essays
3,000 – 8,000 words. College essays typically require 500-1,500 words. Research papers run 3,000-8,000 words. Dissertations can exceed 80,000 words. Always check your institution's specific requirements.
Email Subject Lines
6 – 10 words. Email subject lines of 6-10 words have the highest open rates. Keep them under 60 characters so they display fully on mobile devices. Front-load the most important words.
Product Descriptions
100 – 300 words. E-commerce product descriptions need enough detail to inform purchase decisions without overwhelming shoppers. Include key features, benefits, and specifications in 100-300 words for optimal conversion.
Landing Pages
500 – 1,000 words. Short landing pages (under 500 words) work for simple offers. Complex products or services benefit from 1,000+ words to address objections and build trust before the call to action.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is based on an average reading speed of 200 words per minute. Speaking time uses 130 words per minute. These are industry-standard averages used by platforms like Medium.
How are paragraphs counted?
Paragraphs are counted by blocks of text separated by blank lines. A single line of text with no blank line break counts as one paragraph.
Do hyphenated words count as one or two words?
Hyphenated words like "well-known" are typically counted as one word by our tool, which matches how most word processors count them. Different style guides may count them differently.
How long should my blog post be for SEO?
Research consistently shows that blog posts of 1,500-2,500 words tend to rank higher in search results. However, quality matters more than length — a focused 1,200-word post can outrank a padded 3,000-word one. Aim to cover your topic thoroughly without filler.
Is my text stored or sent anywhere?
No. All counting happens in your browser. Your text never leaves your device — nothing is sent to any server.