How to use it
- Paste or type your text in the box, or open a .txt file from your device.
- Read the word count and unique words in the first tiles.
- Check the top words table to spot words you repeat.
- Change the reading or speaking speed if you know your own pace.
- Copy the summary or the top words table as plain text.
How words are counted
A word is a run of letters or digits between Unicode word boundaries. The examples below are counted by the tool itself.
| Text | Words | Why |
|---|---|---|
| well-known | 1 | a hyphenated word is one word |
| don't | 1 | a word with an apostrophe is one word |
| 3.5 | 1 | a number is a word |
| e.g. | 1 | an abbreviation with full stops is one word |
| wait - what | 2 | a dash standing alone between spaces is not a word |
| 👍 | 0 | an emoji on its own is not a word |
Chinese, Japanese and Thai do not put spaces between words, so the browser finds words with a dictionary, and results can differ slightly between browsers.
In a browser without that support, each Chinese or Japanese character counts as one word.
What the top words table is for
The table lists the 10 words you use most, ignoring capital letters. Use it to spot repetition, to check that a term you need appears, or to find filler words to cut.
Common words such as "the" and "and" are hidden by default; untick the box to include them. The table shows counts only, because there is no ideal share of a text that any word should take up.
Reading and speaking time
Reading time uses 238 words per minute, the average silent reading speed for English non-fiction in a 2019 review of 190 studies. Speaking time uses 183, the average speed for reading aloud in the same review.
Both are estimates, since speed depends on the reader and the text. The reading time calculator explains the figures and lists times for common word counts.
Notes
- Unique words ignore case, and a curly apostrophe matches a straight one, so "Don't" and "don’t" count once.
- Emoji, symbols and dashes on their own are not words.
- Average word length is measured in characters as you see them.
- For average sentence length and the longest sentence, which help you find sentences worth splitting, use the sentence counter.
More text counters
- Character CounterCharacters with and without spaces, platform limits and SMS segments.
- Sentence CounterSentences, average sentence length and the longest sentence.
- Line CounterTotal, non-empty and blank lines, with any line endings.
- Reading Time CalculatorReading and speaking time at speeds you can change.
Frequently asked questions
Does a hyphenated word count as one word?
Yes, "well-known" counts as 1 word. Two hyphens in a row, or a dash with spaces around it, separate words.
Are numbers counted as words?
Yes. A number such as 3.5 or 1,000 counts as 1 word, but a symbol on its own, such as $ or %, does not.
What does unique words mean?
It is the number of different words in the text, ignoring capital letters. "The cat and the dog" has 5 words and 4 unique words.
How is reading time calculated?
The word count is divided by a reading speed, 238 words per minute by default, which is the average for silent reading of non-fiction in Brysbaert (2019). You can change the speed, and the result is an estimate.
Why does another tool give a different word count?
Tools treat hyphens, numbers, abbreviations and symbols differently, and some split text on spaces only. The rules used here are listed on this page with worked examples.
Is my text saved?
No. Counting happens in your browser, and this tool does not store your text or send it anywhere.