Need to count words in a text quickly? Our online counter gives you instant results: word count, characters with and without spaces, sentence count, paragraph count and estimated reading time. Perfect for writers, students, copywriters and anyone who works with text.
When do you need a word counter?
There are many situations where knowing the exact word or character count matters. Academic papers often have strict word limits. SEO articles have a recommended minimum length. Meta descriptions should stay under 160 characters. LinkedIn posts have a 3,000-word limit. SMS messages are capped at 160 characters per message.
In all these cases, an accurate and instant counter is essential.
How many words fit on a page?
As a general guide, an A4 page double-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman or Arial holds about 250 words. Single-spaced, the same page fits around 500 words. These figures vary depending on margins and font choice.
For web content, high-performing SEO blog posts typically range from 1,500 to 2,500 words, while comprehensive pillar pages often exceed 3,000 words.
Reading time: how is it calculated?
Estimated reading time is based on an average reading speed of 200–250 words per minute — the typical pace for an adult reading silently. A 1,000-word text takes about 4–5 minutes. A 2,000-word article takes around 8–10 minutes. This metric is particularly useful for estimating how long readers will spend on your content.
Character limits on popular platforms
Knowing the exact character count is key for social media and SEO. Twitter/X allows 280 characters per post. An SEO meta description should be between 120 and 160 characters to display in full on Google. A standard SMS is 160 characters. LinkedIn allows up to 3,000 characters in status updates. Instagram accepts up to 2,200 characters in captions.
Frequently asked questions
How do I count words online?
Paste or type your text into the counter and results appear instantly: words, characters, sentences and paragraphs. No installation needed.
How many words fit on an A4 page?
About 250 words double-spaced in 12-point font, or around 500 words single-spaced. Varies with margins and font choice.
How is reading time calculated?
At 200–250 words per minute, the average adult reading speed. A 1,000-word text takes about 4–5 minutes.
Does the counter show characters with and without spaces?
Yes — useful for Twitter/X, SMS and SEO meta descriptions with strict character limits.
Paste your text and count instantly. Free, no sign-up.
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