Free Word Counter Tool

Type or paste your text below to see a live word count, character count, sentence count, and estimated reading time.

Words

Characters

Characters (no spaces)

Sentences

Paragraphs

1 min

Reading time

What this word counter does

Manuscripts, blog posts, and query letters all live or die by their length. This tool counts words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs as you type, so you always know where you stand against a target — whether that's a 90,000-word novel or a 300-word author bio.

How to use it

Paste your draft into the box above, or type directly. Every stat updates live, with no button to click and nothing to upload. If you're checking a chapter against a publisher's word count range, watch the "Words" card; if you're fitting a description into a character limit, watch "Characters."

A few tips

Reading time assumes silent adult reading at roughly 200 words per minute, so treat it as a rough guide rather than an exact number. Sentence counts rely on punctuation, so text with unusual formatting — dialogue heavy chapters, for example — may count slightly differently than a strict grammar check would.

Why use this Word Counter instead of asking ChatGPT or Claude?

Chatbots are great for ideas. This tool is for getting the job done — here's what changes when you use it instead of pasting your text into a chat app.

Compared to a chatbot	This tool	ChatGPT / Claude
Speed	Instant. No prompt, no preamble, no waiting.	Type a prompt, wait for a long reply, read through it.
Privacy	Runs in your browser. Nothing gets uploaded or stored.	Your text is sent to and stored by a third party.
Format	Consistent, copy-ready output every single time.	Different style and structure every session.
Signup	None. Open the page and go.	Account required, limits and paid tiers involved.
Cost	Free. Unlimited with Tools Pro ($4.99/mo, all 18 tools).	Free tier with limits, or $20+/mo for full access.

Use a chatbot to brainstorm. Use this tool to finish the job — then publish with Harmony when the book is ready.

Frequently asked questions

Is this word counter free to use?

Yes. The word counter has no usage limit, no account, and no upload — everything runs in your browser as you type.

Does it count words in a PDF or Word document?

Paste the text from your document into the box and it will count immediately. There's no file upload, so your text never leaves your browser.

How is reading time calculated?

Reading time is estimated at 200 words per minute, a common average for adult silent reading, rounded up to the nearest minute.

Finished your manuscript?

Harmony Publishing packages handle editing, formatting, and distribution once your word count is where you want it.

See self-publishing packages