How to Count Words and Characters (Free Word Counter)
3 min read
Word and character limits are everywhere — essay requirements, tweet limits, SEO meta descriptions, ad copy. Counting by hand is hopeless, and your word processor isn't always handy.
Here is how to count words and characters, and the limits worth knowing.
Step by step
- 1Paste your text
Drop your text into the Word Counter and it instantly shows words, characters (with and without spaces), sentences, and reading time.
- 2Know the common limits
SEO title ~60 characters; meta description ~155; X/Twitter post 280; a typical college essay 500-650 words; a standard page is roughly 500 words double-spaced.
- 3Estimate pages and reading time
Words to pages: ~500 words per double-spaced page (~250 single). Reading time: average reading is ~200-250 words per minute, so 1,000 words is about 4-5 minutes.
Tips
- Character count (not word count) is what matters for SEO meta tags and social posts.
- Counts with vs without spaces differ — check which one a form actually means.
- Tightening to a limit usually improves writing — cut filler before you cut substance.
Frequently asked questions
How many words is one page?
Roughly 500 words per double-spaced page, or about 250 single-spaced, in a standard 12pt font — it varies with margins and spacing.
How long does it take to read 1,000 words?
About 4-5 minutes at an average reading speed of 200-250 words per minute.
What's the difference between word count and character count?
Word count is the number of words; character count is every letter, space, and symbol. Social and SEO limits are usually in characters.