How to use Word Counter
- Type or paste your text into the box, or open a .txt, Word (.docx) or PDF file. It is read on your device.
- The word count and character count update as you type: with and without spaces, letters only, sentences and paragraphs.
- Pick a limit, such as an X post (280), an SMS (160) or a 500-word essay, to see how much room is left.
- Check the reading and speaking time (words to minutes) and your most used words, then copy or clear the text.
Why use Word Counter
Every language
Words are split the way each language writes them, so Arabic, Urdu, Chinese and Thai are counted correctly, not just English.
Characters three ways
All characters with spaces, without spaces, and letters only, which leaves out tashkeel, digits and punctuation.
Limits and SMS
Check against X, SMS, meta descriptions, titles, Instagram, LinkedIn or your own limit. An SMS in Arabic or Urdu holds 70 characters, not 160, and this SMS character counter knows it.
Word files and PDFs
Open a .docx or PDF to count its words without uploading it. Your text stays in this tab only.
About this tool
A word counter tells you whether your text fits: an essay with a word limit, a cover letter, a product description, a social post or a speech. This free online word counter counts words, characters with and without spaces, letters, sentences and paragraphs as you type. It estimates reading time at about 238 words a minute for English and 138 for Arabic, the average reading speeds measured in studies of adult readers, and speaking time at a steady 150 words a minute.
Character limits matter as much as words. An X post allows 280 characters, and Google usually shows up to about 160 characters of a page’s description. An SMS holds 160 characters in English but only 70 when it contains Arabic, Urdu or an emoji, because the message is then sent in a different encoding, and longer messages are split into parts. Open a Word file or a PDF to count it without uploading it anywhere: the text is read in your browser and kept only in this tab.
Frequently asked questions
How are words counted?
Words are the pieces of text between spaces and punctuation, found with your browser’s own rules for each language. “Don’t” and “well-known” count as one word each, and numbers count as words.
Does it count Arabic and Urdu words correctly?
Yes. Arabic and Urdu words are split at spaces the way they are written, and tashkeel does not change the count. The Letters figure counts letters only, without tashkeel, spaces or punctuation.
How many characters fit in an SMS?
160 in English, or 70 when the message has any Arabic, Urdu or emoji. Longer messages are sent in parts of 153 or 67 characters. Choose SMS under the text to see the parts.
How is reading time worked out?
At about 238 words a minute for English and 138 for Arabic, the average reading speeds found in studies of adult readers. Speaking time assumes a steady 150 words a minute.
Is my text saved or uploaded?
No. The text is counted in your browser and kept only in this tab, so it is still there if you reload the page and gone when you close the tab.
Is this word counter tool good for books and long documents?
Yes. Paste a whole chapter or open a Word or PDF file, and it counts the words, characters, sentences and reading time on your device, however long the text is.