Free Word Count Tool , Character Counter & Reading Time

How to Use the Word Count Tool

1. Paste or type your text into the box above. The counts update as you type.
2. Read the Text Analysis panel. It shows words, characters with and without spaces, sentences, paragraphs and reading time.
3. Check the limit bars. Each bar turns orange at 80% of the limit and red when you go over.
4. Copy or clear your text. Use the Copy Text button, or clear the box to start again.

The tool needs no account or download and works on any device. Once your text is the right length, run it through the Readability Score Checker or the Keyword Density Checker.

What This Word Counter Can Do

• Live counts: words, characters, sentences and paragraphs update as you type.
• Reading time: estimated at 200 words per minute.
• Social limits: progress bars for X (280), LinkedIn posts (3,000) and Instagram captions (2,200).
• SEO limits: bars for a meta title (60 characters) and meta description (160 characters).
• Private: your text stays in your browser and is never sent to a server.

Social Media Character Limits Explained

Each platform cuts text off in its own way. Check the limit before you post so nothing important is hidden.

X (Twitter): 280 characters

X allows 280 characters per post for most accounts, and paid accounts can post longer. Links count as 23 characters whatever their length.

LinkedIn post: 3,000 characters

LinkedIn posts can run to 3,000 characters, but the feed shows only the first few lines before “see more”. Put your main point at the start.

Instagram caption: 2,200 characters

Captions can run to 2,200 characters, but the feed shortens long ones with “more”. Put the key message first and the hashtags last.

SEO meta title: 60 characters

Google cuts titles to fit the screen rather than at a fixed count, and around 50 to 60 characters usually shows in full. Put your main keyword near the front.

SEO meta description: 160 characters

Meta descriptions do not affect rankings, but a clear summary can earn more clicks. Around 150 to 160 characters usually shows in full on desktop.

How Reading Time Is Calculated

The tool divides your word count by 200 words per minute and rounds up. That is a common estimate for reading on screen. A 1,000 word post comes out at about 5 minutes.

A “5 min read” label sets expectations and helps people decide whether to start. Medium shows one on its posts.

Recommended word counts by content type

• X post: under 40 words to fit the 280 character limit.
• Email subject line: roughly 40 to 50 characters so it shows in full on a phone.
• Marketing email: 50 to 200 words.
• Blog post: as long as it takes to answer the question well. Google says there is no ideal word count.
• Landing page: enough to answer the visitor’s questions, with the main message at the top.
• LinkedIn article: long enough to make one point well.

Related free tools

• Readability Score Checker: Check how easy your text is to read.
• Keyword Density Checker: See which words you use most in your content.
• Clear Text Formatting: Remove formatting and hidden HTML from pasted text.
• Text Case Converter: Switch text between upper, lower, title and sentence case.
• See all free tools for marketers