Free Word Counter – Count Words & Characters Online
A free word counter counts the words, characters, sentences and paragraphs in your text as you type. KnowAndAsk’s Free Word Counter also shows reading time, keyword density and how your text fits social media and Google limits, all inside your browser, so your text is never uploaded. No sign-up.
- CountsWords, characters, sentences, paragraphs
- ExtrasReading time, keyword density, limits
- PrivacyProcessed on your device
- PriceFree, no word limit
Last updated:
Your text
Live statistics
Top keywords
| Word | Count | Density |
|---|---|---|
| Start typing to see your most used words. | ||
Platform limit checker
See how your character count fits common limits. Bars turn red when you go over. Limits can change, so confirm on the platform before publishing. SEO title and meta description are recommended display lengths, not hard limits.
Free word counter: count words, characters, sentences and reading time online
How to count words and characters online
- Type or paste your text into the box, or upload a plain text file.
- Read the live word, character, sentence and paragraph counts.
- Check the platform limit bars for X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Google.
- Review the top keywords to spot words you repeat too often.
- Edit your text, change the case if needed, then copy it.
Whether you are writing an essay with a strict limit, a caption for social media, a meta description or a full blog post, this online word counter gives you exact numbers instantly. It is built for writers, students, bloggers, SEO professionals, social media managers and translators who need a quick and private way to measure text.
What this word counter measures
| Measure | What it means |
|---|---|
| Words | Groups of characters separated by spaces or line breaks |
| Characters | Every letter, number, symbol, space and line break |
| Characters (no spaces) | The same count with all spaces and line breaks removed |
| Sentences | Text ending with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark |
| Paragraphs | Blocks of text separated by a blank line |
| Reading time | Word count divided by 200 words per minute |
| Speaking time | Word count divided by 130 words per minute |
Common word and character count targets
These are typical starting points. Always follow the rules of your school, client or platform.
| Content | Typical target |
|---|---|
| X (Twitter) post | Up to 280 characters |
| SEO title tag | About 50 to 60 characters |
| Meta description | About 150 to 160 characters |
| Instagram caption | Up to 2,200 characters |
| LinkedIn post | Up to 3,000 characters |
| College application essay (Common App) | 250 to 650 words |
| Blog post | Often 1,000 to 2,000 words, depending on the topic |
| One page, single-spaced | About 500 words |
| One page, double-spaced | About 250 words |
Word count and SEO
There is no official word count that Google requires for ranking. A page should be as long as it needs to be to answer the search query fully. Use the keyword list to make sure your main topic appears naturally and that no single word is repeated so often that the text reads as keyword stuffing.
Characters with spaces or without spaces?
Most platforms, forms and meta tags count spaces as characters, so use the Characters figure for limits. The no-spaces figure is useful for some translation quotes and academic requirements, so always check which one your assignment asks for.
Private by design
Counting runs locally in your browser. Your text is not sent to a server, not saved and not shared, which makes this word counter safe for drafts, contracts, essays and client work.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free word counter online?
A good free word counter updates instantly as you type, counts characters with and without spaces, shows reading time and works without uploading your text. KnowAndAsk’s Free Word Counter does all of this and also checks your text against platform limits and shows keyword density.
How does a word counter count words?
A word counter splits your text wherever there is a space, tab or line break and counts each separate group of characters as one word. Hyphenated terms such as well-known count as one word, and numbers count as words too.
How do I count the words in a document?
Copy the text from your document and paste it into the box, or upload a plain text file such as TXT, MD or CSV. The word count appears immediately and updates as you edit.
What is the difference between characters with spaces and without spaces?
Characters with spaces counts every letter, number, symbol, space and line break. Characters without spaces leaves out all spaces and line breaks. Most social platforms and meta tags use the count that includes spaces.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time divides your word count by 200 words per minute, a common average for silent reading. Speaking time uses 130 words per minute, a typical pace for presentations and voice-overs.
Is my text saved or uploaded anywhere?
No. All counting happens locally in your browser. Your text is never sent to a server or stored, and it disappears when you close or refresh the page.
How many words is one page?
A single-spaced page in 12 point font holds roughly 500 words, and a double-spaced page holds roughly 250 words. The exact number depends on the font, margins and spacing.
What is a good word count for a blog post or SEO article?
Many blog posts run between 1,000 and 2,000 words, but there is no official minimum for ranking. Cover the topic completely and answer the reader’s question. Longer is only better when the extra words add value.
What are the character limits for X, Instagram and Facebook?
Commonly cited limits are 280 characters for an X post, 2,200 for an Instagram caption, 150 for an Instagram bio and 63,206 for a Facebook post. Platforms can change these, so confirm on the platform before publishing.
What is keyword density and what is a good level?
Keyword density is how often a word appears compared with your total word count, shown as a percentage. There is no ideal number. Write naturally, and use the density list only to spot words you repeat too often.
Can I upload a Word or PDF file?
The upload button reads plain text files such as TXT, MD, CSV and HTML. For Word or PDF files, open the document, copy the text and paste it into the box.
Is there a word limit, and is the word counter really free?
It is completely free with no sign-up and no fixed word limit. Very long texts depend on your device memory and may feel slower to edit.