Count words and characters in any text as you type, with an estimated reading time — handy for essays, social posts, meta descriptions and word-limit requirements. A typical 500-word blog introduction takes about 2 minutes to read at the average adult reading speed of 200-250 words per minute — a quick benchmark that's handy when you're writing to a word-count or time limit.
Last updated: 1 Sep 2026
How to use Word & Character Counter
- Paste or type your text into the box.
- Word count, character count, sentence count and estimated reading time update automatically as you type.
Frequently asked questions
How is reading time calculated?
Using an average adult reading speed of about 200 words per minute — actual reading speed varies by person and content difficulty.
Does it count spaces as characters?
Yes, the character count includes spaces and punctuation, matching how most word processors count characters.
Does it work for languages other than English?
Word counting works for any space-separated language; character count works universally regardless of language.
Can I use this to check social media character limits?
Yes — the character count is useful for checking against limits like X/Twitter posts or SMS messages.
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