Key Statistics
Words, characters, sentences, paragraphs Metrics tracked
Estimated minutes based on 200 WPM Reading time
Most frequent words & percentages Keyword density
Count Words & Characters — Free Online Tool
Paste your text below to instantly count words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs. See estimated reading time and speaking time. Get keyword density analysis for SEO. Stats update as you type—no button needed. All processing happens in your browser. Free, private, no signup required.0
Words
0
Characters
with spaces
0
Characters
no spaces
0
Sentences
0
Paragraphs
< 1 min
Reading Time
@ 200 wpm
< 1 min
Speaking Time
@ 150 wpm
What is Word Counter?
Word Counter is a free tool that analyzes text and provides comprehensive statistics. It counts words, characters (with and without spaces), sentences, and paragraphs. It also calculates reading time, speaking time, and shows keyword density for SEO optimization. Stats update in real-time as you type.
Essential for writers checking word limits, students meeting essay requirements, SEO specialists analyzing content, and speakers timing presentations.
How does Word Counter work?
- 01 Paste or type your text in the input area
- 02 View word and character counts update instantly as you type
- 03 Check reading time (based on 200 words/minute average)
- 04 Check speaking time (based on 150 words/minute average)
- 05 Review keyword density for SEO insights
- 06 Clear to analyze new text
Why use a browser-based tool?
- Complete privacy: Your content never leaves your device
- Real-time updates: Stats change as you type, no refresh needed
- Works offline: Once loaded, works without internet
- No limits: Analyze documents of any length
- Instant results: No server processing delays
Common Questions
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is based on the average adult reading speed of 200-250 words per minute. This tool uses 200 wpm to account for comprehension. A 1,000-word article takes about 5 minutes to read. Adjust expectations for technical content (slower) or casual content (faster).
How is speaking time different from reading time?
Speaking time is calculated at 150 words per minute—the average conversational pace. This is slower than silent reading. A 1,000-word speech takes about 6-7 minutes to deliver. Useful for presentations, podcasts, and video scripts.
What is keyword density?
Keyword density is how often a word appears relative to total word count, expressed as a percentage. For SEO, primary keywords typically appear at 1-3% density. Higher than 3% may look spammy to search engines. This tool shows the most frequent words in your content.
What counts as a word?
A word is any sequence of characters separated by spaces. Hyphenated words (like "well-known") count as one word. Numbers count as words. Punctuation attached to words doesn't create additional words. This matches standard word processing behavior.
Why does character count matter?
Character count is important for social media limits (Twitter/X: 280, Instagram bio: 150, LinkedIn summary: 2,600), meta descriptions (155-160), SMS messages (160), and database field limits. This tool shows both total characters and characters without spaces.