Word Counter

Words0
Characters0
Chars (no spaces)0
Sentences0
Paragraphs0
Reading time0s

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Word Counter makes it easy to see word, character, sentence, and paragraph counts in seconds. If you write for school, social posts, or tight briefs, you’ve likely felt the stress of hitting a limit. The free Word Counter by FlexiTools.io gives you instant counts and reading-time estimates so you can adjust your draft without guesswork. Paste your text and, within the next 60 seconds, you’ll know exactly what to trim or expand.

How to Use Our Word Counter

  1. Paste or type your text into the input box.
  2. Set your reading speed if you like - 200 words per minute is default.
  3. Toggle options to include numbers as words or to auto-trim extra spaces.
  4. Review live stats and click Copy summary to grab a neat report.

Why FlexiTools.io Offers the Best Word Counter

Fast, accurate counts

Our client-side logic updates on every keystroke. You see changes instantly with no waiting or distracting pop-ups.

Privacy-first by design

Your text stays in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, so drafts, notes, and sensitive writing remain private.

Clean, accessible UI

Labels, clear focus outlines, and keyboard-friendly controls make it smooth to use for everyone.

  • FlexiTools.io vs typical alternatives:
    • FlexiTools.io: No ads, no sign-in, instant results.
    • Typical alternatives: Ad-heavy pages and trackers that slow you down.
    • FlexiTools.io: Copy-to-clipboard with fallback for older browsers.
    • Typical alternatives: Limited sharing options.
    • FlexiTools.io: Sensible defaults plus useful toggles.
    • Typical alternatives: One-size-fits-all counts with no control.

A Deeper Look at Text Length and Readability

What counts as a “word”?

Different tools define words in slightly different ways. Our Word Counter treats a word as a continuous run of letters or numbers, including common contractions like “don’t.” You can decide whether numbers should count as words using the checkbox. Why give you that choice? Because some assignments count digits, while others don’t. A teacher asking for “100 words” might expect only meaningful terms, not a page full of figures.

Why counts vary across tools

Two counters can disagree by a few words, and that’s normal. The difference often comes down to how they split hyphenated terms, measure contractions, or handle multiple spaces. We default to trimming extra spaces to avoid inflated counts and to keep results closer to what editors expect. If you’ve ever been surprised that your document app shows a different number than a web tool, it’s usually about rules, not errors.

Sentences, paragraphs, and structure

Beyond word totals, structure matters. Our sentence estimate looks for punctuation such as periods, question marks, and exclamation points. It isn’t a grammar checker, but it provides a helpful signal. Paragraphs are detected by blank lines. If your text has no blank lines, we assume a single paragraph. These signals help you see your pacing: many short sentences suggest a punchy style; long blocks may need breaks for readability.

Reading time and why it helps

Most readers process about 200 words per minute. That’s why we set 200 WPM as default, and you can adjust it if you know your audience’s pace. Reading-time estimates keep you honest about length and attention. If a landing page hero needs to deliver value in 20 seconds, the reading-time metric gives a reality check. It’s especially handy for scripts, speeches, and voiceovers where timing is tight.

Clear writing beats wordiness

Hitting a number is not the whole job. People respond better to concise, concrete language. Government guidance on plain writing encourages short sentences, strong verbs, and familiar words - a style that helps more readers understand more content, faster. See the plain language guidance from PlainLanguage.gov for practical tips on wording and structure. For accessibility, check the WCAG readability success criteria from W3C to support inclusive communication. These references reinforce a simple idea: clear writing improves user experience.

A quick example

I once edited a 150-word bio for a student applying to a summer program. The first draft landed at 197 words. With the Word Counter open, we cut fillers like “very,” replaced phrases like “in order to” with “to,” and split one heavy sentence into two. The final bio hit 149 words, kept the student’s voice, and read faster. The count was the guide; the edit improved the story.

Practical notes

  • If your platform has a strict character limit, track both characters and characters without spaces. Some tools count spaces; some don’t.
  • Contractions may save space without hurting clarity. “I would” becomes “I’d” without changing tone in casual contexts.
  • For long pieces, use paragraph and sentence counts as pacing cues. Too many long sentences may tire readers; too many short ones can feel choppy. Aim for variety and rhythm.

Pro-Tips for Getting the Most Out of Word Counts

  • Draft long, then refine: Write freely first, then use the Word Counter to trim filler and tighten verbs. You’ll keep your flow and still meet the limit.
  • Match the medium: For social captions, watch character count; for essays, watch words and paragraphs. Let the metric fit the goal.
  • Use reading time for planning: If a video intro needs to fit 30 seconds, tune WPM and aim your script to match.
How accurate is the word counter tool?
Word and character counts are very reliable for normal text. The tool uses common rules to split words and detect sentences. Lists and mixed punctuation can shift the sentence count a little, but the word tally stays steady. If a class or platform uses special rules, follow those first.
How can I improve my Flesch reading ease score?
Shorten long sentences and swap complex words for simpler ones. Break dense paragraphs into two or three short blocks. Remove filler words and keep each idea in its own line. Read it out loud and fix parts that make you pause.
Why does my reading time not match how fast I read?
Reading speed varies from person to person. The tool uses a common average of 200 words per minute for reading and 130 for speaking. If your audience reads slower or the topic is complex, add a little extra time. For casual notes, the real time may be a bit faster.
Does the tool store or send my text anywhere?
No, the tool runs in your browser and works offline. Your text stays on your device. If you want a copy, use the download button to save a .txt file. That way you can keep drafts as you edit.
Can I use the readability score for languages other than English?
The counts work for many languages, but Flesch and Flesch Kincaid grade were built for English. Scores for other languages may not reflect real difficulty. For non English text, use the counts and your own review as the main guide. Short sentences and clear words still help a lot.