Why count words?
Essays, assignments, job applications, blog posts and social media all have length limits. A quick count helps you hit the target without padding or cutting too much.
Common length limits
- X (Twitter) post: 280 characters
- Meta description (SEO): about 150–160 characters
- Instagram caption: 2,200 characters
- College essay: typically 500–650 words
- Blog post that ranks well: often 1,000–2,000 words
Reading time assumes an average adult reading speed of about 230 words per minute.
Frequently asked questions
Is my text private?
Yes. Counting happens entirely in your browser. Your draft is saved only in your own browser so you don't lose it on refresh.
How are words counted?
Any run of characters separated by spaces or line breaks counts as one word, the same way most word processors count.
Does it count spaces as characters?
Both totals are shown: characters with spaces and characters without spaces.