Almost every writing task you do has a length limit. Twitter caps posts at 280 characters. LinkedIn posts cap at 3,000. Meta descriptions for Google should be around 160 characters. University essays specify word counts. Job applications give you a maximum cover letter length. Knowing exactly where you stand against the limit — without re-reading and guessing — is what a word counter is for.
This guide covers the word count limits that matter in everyday writing and how to check your count instantly with a free online tool.
Different platforms have different limits, and exceeding them either causes truncation (your post gets cut off) or outright rejection (the form will not submit). Here are the limits that come up most often:
The free word counter is built for instant feedback while you write. Paste or type your text into the editor and statistics update in real time as you work:
The tool also includes platform-specific progress bars showing exactly where you stand against the Twitter (280), Meta description (160), and LinkedIn (3,000) character limits. The bar turns red the moment you exceed the limit.
To use it:
No signup, no upload, no character logging — everything runs in your browser and is not stored anywhere.
How are words counted?
Words are sequences of characters separated by whitespace. Hyphenated words ("well-known") count as one word. Numbers, abbreviations, and contractions ("don't", "U.S.") count as one word each. URLs are counted as a single word regardless of length. This matches how most academic and professional word counters work — including the built-in counters in Microsoft Word and Google Docs, so the number you see here will closely match what your teacher, editor, or submission system will count.
What about characters with and without spaces?
The counter displays both. Character count with spaces is what most platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn, meta descriptions) measure against their limits. Character count without spaces is sometimes useful for academic submissions and pricing for translation or transcription services, which are often billed per non-space character.
Does the reading time calculation include scanning?
No — reading time assumes full reading at 238 words per minute, the median speed for English-language adult readers. Scanning is roughly 3–4 times faster, but full comprehension is the metric most relevant for content planning.
Is my text saved anywhere?
No. The word counter runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, transmitted, or stored. Once you close the tab, the text is gone.
Can I count words in a PDF or Word document?
The text needs to be in plain text form. Copy text from a PDF or Word file and paste it into the counter. Microsoft Word and Google Docs have built-in word counters too — useful when you do not want to leave your editor.
Use our free Word Counter tool — works in your browser, nothing to install.
Word Counter — Free