How the word counter works
Paste in your essay, cover letter, post or report and the counts update instantly. A word is any run of letters or numbers, so "don't", "well-known" and "2026" each count as one word, the same way Microsoft Word and Google Docs count them. Sentences end with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark, and a new paragraph starts after a blank line.
Your text never leaves your device. It isn't uploaded, saved or used for anything, so it's safe to paste in personal statements, job applications or confidential work.
Characters with and without spaces
Most online forms and social media limits count characters with spaces, including punctuation and line breaks. Some publishers and translators charge or set limits by characters without spaces. Both are shown, so check which one your form uses.
Common word and character limits
| Where | Limit |
|---|---|
| UCAS personal statement | 4,000 characters (including spaces) |
| Post on X (standard account) | 280 characters |
| Single text message | 160 characters (70 if you use emoji) |
| Google search result description | About 155 characters before it's cut off |
| Instagram caption | 2,200 characters |
| LinkedIn post | 3,000 characters |
| Cover letter | Usually 250 to 400 words |
| Undergraduate dissertation | Often 8,000 to 12,000 words |
Universities usually allow 10% over or under an essay's word limit, but check your course handbook. Headings, references and appendices are often left out of the count.
Reading and speaking time
Reading time is based on an average adult silent reading speed of about 238 words a minute. Speaking time uses about 140 words a minute, a comfortable pace for a presentation or a speech. So a 5-minute wedding speech is roughly 700 words, and a 10-minute talk is around 1,400.
Writing tips
- Keep sentences short. An average of 15 to 20 words per sentence is easy to read. If yours is over 25, try splitting a few.
- Watch repeated words. The "most used words" list shows words you might be leaning on too much.
- Cutting to a limit? Remove filler like "really", "very" and "in order to" first. They rarely change the meaning.
- Need a percentage? To see how much of a word limit you've used, try the percentage calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I count the words in my text?
Paste or type your text into the box. The number of words, characters, sentences and paragraphs updates instantly as you type.
Do spaces count as characters?
Usually, yes. Most limits, including the UCAS personal statement and social media posts, count characters with spaces. The counter shows both figures.
How many characters is the UCAS personal statement?
4,000 characters including spaces. The counter shows how many you've used and how many are left.
How long does it take to read 1,000 words?
About 4 minutes at an average reading speed of 238 words a minute, or about 7 minutes to say out loud at 140 words a minute.
Is my text saved or shared?
No. The counting happens in your browser and nothing you type is sent to us or stored.
Last reviewed October 2026. Your text stays in your browser and isn't sent or stored.