How are words counted?

Words are counted by splitting on whitespace and filtering empty tokens, the same method used by most word processors. A 'word' is any sequence of characters separated by spaces, tabs, or newlines.

Does it count hyphenated words as one or two words?

Hyphenated words like 'well-being' are counted as a single word, since there is no space between the parts.

Is my text stored anywhere?

All counting happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Our servers are not involved at any point.

Is there an input size limit?

The limit is your browser's memory. Documents of tens of thousands of words count instantly. Very long inputs (hundreds of pages) may take a fraction of a second longer to recount.

Word count

Paste or type your text below to count words in real time. The count updates as you type. All processing runs in your browser.

Text input

COUNT

Runs entirely in your browser

How it works

The counting runs entirely in JavaScript in your browser tab. As you type or paste text, the counts update synchronously with no network request.

Processing runs in your browser

Your text is held only in browser memory. Closing the tab removes it entirely.

Related operations

For checking reading difficulty alongside word count, try the readability checker. To generate placeholder copy of a target length, use lorem ipsum. For tidying capitalisation as you draft, see the case converter.

Frequently asked questions

How are words counted?: Words are counted by splitting on whitespace and filtering empty tokens, the same method used by most word processors. A 'word' is any sequence of characters separated by spaces, tabs, or newlines.
Does it count hyphenated words as one or two words?: Hyphenated words like 'well-being' are counted as a single word, since there is no space between the parts.
Is my text stored anywhere?: All counting happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Our servers are not involved at any point.
Is there an input size limit?: The limit is your browser's memory. Documents of tens of thousands of words count instantly. Very long inputs (hundreds of pages) may take a fraction of a second longer to recount.

Word count

How it works

Processing runs in your browser

Related operations

Frequently asked questions

Related tools