Word Counter

Count words, characters, sentences and paragraphs as you type, with reading and speaking time and common essay and post length targets.

LiveText ToolsURL: /word-counter

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How to use this calculator

Enter your values. The result updates as you type; press Calculate to confirm and jump to the result on mobile. Use Share to send the calculator with your result.

How words are counted

A word is any run of letters or numbers; hyphenated and contracted words (“well-known”, “don’t”) count as one. Your text stays in your browser and isn’t uploaded anywhere.

Reading and speaking time

Reading time uses an average silent reading speed of about 238 words per minute (Brysbaert, 2019); speaking time assumes about 140 words per minute, a comfortable presentation pace.

Common word counts

Type of writingTypical length
Common App personal essayup to 650 words
Short answer / supplement150–250 words
Blog post1,000–2,000 words
One page, single-spacedabout 500 words
One page, double-spacedabout 250 words

Frequently asked questions

How many words is one page?

About 500 words single-spaced or 250 double-spaced in 12-point font.

Do numbers count as words?

Yes, a number like 2026 counts as one word.

How many words is a 5-minute speech?

About 650–750 words at a normal speaking pace.

About this tool

Written by
[Author: to be assigned]
Reviewed by
Formula tests passed · human review pending
Last updated
31 Oct 2026

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