Word Counter

How to count words for an essay

Most word counters — this one included — define a word as any run of characters separated by spaces. That matches how Microsoft Word and Google Docs count, so the number you see here will agree with the one your instructor sees.

1. Paste your draft into the box above. Counts update live as you type.
2. Check the target. A 1,000-word essay at 200 words per minute takes about 5 minutes to read aloud.
3. Watch keyword density. If one word dominates, your writing may sound repetitive — the table above flags it.
4. Mind what counts. Hyphenated compounds like well-known count as one word here (and in Word); numbers like 2026 count as words too.

Reading time vs. speaking time

Silent reading averages about 200 words per minute; speaking averages about 150 words per minute. A 5-minute class presentation needs roughly 750 spoken words — use the speaking-time stat when rehearsing.

How is reading time calculated?

Word count divided by 200 words per minute, the widely used average for silent reading. Dense academic text reads slower; light fiction reads faster.

Do hyphenated words count as one word?

Yes. Anything without a space in it — well-known, e-mail, 2026 — counts as a single word, matching Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

What's the difference between characters and characters (no spaces)?

Some applications (notably for East Asian languages and certain publishing limits) count only non-space characters. Both totals are shown so you can use whichever your assignment asks for.

Why is my most common word missing from keyword density?

Filler words like the, and, and is are deliberately excluded — they'd otherwise drown out the words that actually describe your topic.

Is my text sent anywhere?

No. All counting happens in your browser with JavaScript. Nothing is uploaded, stored, or tracked.

What is the reading ease score?

It's the Flesch Reading Ease score (0–100): 90+ reads like a comic book, 60–70 like plain news writing, below 30 like an academic paper. The grade level beside it estimates the US school grade needed to follow the text.

Will I lose my draft if I close the tab?

No — your text and word goal are autosaved in your own browser and restored when you return. Clearing the box wipes the saved draft too.