What counts as a word
This counter splits your text on whitespace, which is the same method Microsoft Word and Google Docs use. A hyphenated term like "well-known" counts as one word. A number counts as a word. An em dash surrounded by spaces does not.
You will occasionally see small differences between tools, usually around hyphens, contractions, and text containing URLs. For an assignment with a strict limit, check which tool your instructor or editor uses and count with that one.
Reading and speaking time
Reading time assumes 238 words per minute, which is the median silent reading speed for adults reading non-fiction in English, based on a 2019 meta-analysis of reading rate studies. Speaking time assumes 140 words per minute, a typical conversational presentation pace. If you are timing a speech, read a paragraph aloud at your natural pace and adjust from there, since individual speakers vary widely.
Common word limits
| Format | Typical length |
|---|---|
| Tweet / X post | 280 characters |
| Meta description | 150–160 characters |
| Common App essay | 250–650 words |
| Abstract, academic paper | 150–300 words |
| Cover letter | 250–400 words |
| Blog post that ranks well | 1,200–2,000 words |
| 5-minute speech | 650–750 words |
Keyword density, and how much it matters
The panel above shows how often each word appears, ignoring common filler words like "the" and "and". It is useful for spotting repetition you did not notice while writing.
If you are using it for SEO, treat it as a diagnostic rather than a target. Search engines stopped rewarding specific keyword percentages a long time ago, and writing to hit a density figure produces text that reads badly to humans. The useful signal is the opposite one: if your main topic never appears in the list, the page may genuinely be unfocused.
Common questions
Does it count words in other languages?
Yes for any language that separates words with spaces, including Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese. Languages written without spaces between words, such as Chinese, Japanese, and Thai, will not count accurately with this method.
Is my text saved anywhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing is sent over the network, and closing the tab discards it entirely. You can verify this by disconnecting from the internet — the tool keeps working.
Why is my count different from Google Docs?
Usually hyphens or URLs. Google Docs treats some hyphenated compounds as two words where this tool treats them as one. On a 500-word document the difference is typically under five words.