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Word Counter

Input

Count words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs, check reading and speaking time, and find frequently used keywords.

Input

Output

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Text Tools

Online Word Counter

Need to know how long your text is? Use this online word counter to count words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs as you type or paste.

You can also upload a TXT, Markdown, HTML, RTF, DOCX, or PDF file, or drag a file directly into the editor. Counts update as your text changes, so you can check an article, essay, report, or other document without counting manually.

The tool also estimates reading and speaking time and shows the most frequently used keywords in your text.

Quick guide

How to use

  1. Type or paste text into the editor, upload a supported file, or drag a file into the editor.
  2. Check the live word, character, sentence, and paragraph counts and estimated reading and speaking times.
  3. Review frequently used keywords to see which terms appear most often.
  4. Edit your text, then copy it or download it as TXT or PDF.

Example: Paste an essay draft to check it against an assignment word limit. If you upload a scanned PDF, run OCR first so its text can be read and counted.

Details

About this tool

When an online word counter is useful

Word counts help when an essay, article, report, application, or other document has a minimum or maximum length. Character counts are useful when a title, description, form response, or service has a character limit.

Enter text in the editor, paste it from another application, or upload a supported file. Word, character, sentence, and paragraph counts update as you edit, alongside estimated reading and speaking times and frequently used keywords.

What the Word Counter measures

  • Words: the total number of words in your text.
  • Characters: the number of characters, with a separate count excluding spaces.
  • Sentences and paragraphs: a quick overview of your text structure.
  • Reading and speaking time: estimates based on the amount of text; actual times vary by person, language, and delivery.
  • Keyword frequency: terms that appear most often. This quick overview does not replace a full SEO analysis.

Upload a document

Upload or drop a TXT, Markdown, HTML, RTF, DOCX, or PDF file. The available text is extracted and counted in your browser. PDFs with selectable text can be analyzed; scanned PDFs may contain only page images and need OCR before their text can be counted.

Edit, copy, and download

Use the editor controls to paste, copy, clear, undo, or redo. When you are ready, copy your text or download it as a TXT or PDF file. Uploaded files are processed in your browser rather than sent to ToolboxShelf. For sensitive documents, follow your organization’s privacy and security requirements.

Common use cases

  • Essays and assignments: check a draft against its word limit.
  • Articles and blog posts: track length and get a rough reading-time estimate.
  • Reports and documents: review text length without counting manually.
  • Scripts and presentations: use speaking time as a rough guide to delivery length.
  • Forms and short text: check character limits before submitting.
  • Editing: review sentence, paragraph, and keyword counts while refining a draft.

Word and character count

Check the number of words and characters as you type, paste, or upload text. Both counts update whenever the content changes.

Reading and speaking time

See estimated reading and speaking times. These figures are approximate because reading and speaking speeds vary.

Keyword frequency

Review the terms that occur most often to check terminology or spot repeated words. This quick count is not a full SEO analysis.

Supported files

Upload or drop TXT, Markdown, HTML, RTF, DOCX, or PDF files. Scanned PDFs need OCR before their text can be counted. Files are processed in your browser.

Word Counter Examples

Essay

Paste an essay draft into the editor.

Review its word, character, sentence, and paragraph counts and estimated reading time.

Document upload

Upload a DOCX or text-based PDF.

The tool extracts available text and updates the counts.

Keyword frequency

Paste an article or another long text.

Review the terms that occur most often.

Scanned PDF

Upload a scanned PDF.

Run OCR first so the text can be extracted and counted.

Help

Frequently asked questions

What is an online word counter?

It counts the words in a text without separate software. This tool also counts characters, sentences, and paragraphs and estimates reading and speaking time.

How do I count words in a document?

Type or paste text into the editor, or upload a supported TXT, Markdown, HTML, RTF, DOCX, or PDF file. Counts update automatically.

Can I count words in a PDF?

Yes, if the PDF contains selectable text. A scanned PDF may contain only images, so run OCR first to extract its text.

Can I upload a DOCX file?

Yes. DOCX files are supported, along with TXT, Markdown, HTML, RTF, and PDF files.

What is the difference between word count and character count?

Word count measures the words in your text. Character count measures individual characters and is useful when a field has a text limit.

How accurate is the reading-time estimate?

It is a guide, not an exact timing. Actual reading speed varies from person to person and with the text and language.

What does keyword frequency show?

It lists terms that occur most often in your text. Use it to review repeated terminology; it is not a complete SEO analysis.

Are uploaded files processed in my browser?

Yes. The file is read and analyzed in your browser rather than uploaded to ToolboxShelf. Scanned PDFs need OCR before analysis.

Can I download my text?

Yes. Copy it or download it as a TXT or PDF file.