Essay word counter
Paste or type your essay. Words, characters, sentences, paragraphs, pages and reading time update as you type, and your text never leaves your browser.
How words are counted
A word is any run of letters or numbers; hyphenated words (well-known) and contractions (don't) count as one, the way Microsoft Word and Google Docs count them. Your count may differ slightly from your school's if it excludes headings, footnotes or the reference list, so check the assignment rules.
Typical essay lengths
| Essay | Typical length | Pages (double-spaced) |
|---|---|---|
| High school essay | 300–1,000 words | 1–4 |
| College application (Common App) | 250–650 words | 1–2.5 |
| Undergraduate essay | 1,500–5,000 words | 6–18 |
| Graduate paper | 2,500–6,000 words | 9–22 |
See exactly how many pages 1,000 words fills in different fonts. Most universities allow about 10% over or under a word limit, but check your course handbook.
Questions students ask
Is my essay saved or uploaded?
No. Counting happens in your browser. The text is kept in this browser's local storage so a refresh doesn't lose it; press Clear text or use the privacy page to delete it.
Do references count toward the word limit?
Usually not, but it depends on your institution. Many UK universities exclude the reference list and in-text citations; others include everything. Check your handbook.
How many words is a 5-paragraph essay?
Typically 500–800 words: about 100 words each for the introduction and conclusion, and 100–200 per body paragraph.
How is reading time calculated?
At 238 words per minute, the average silent reading speed for adults reported in a 2019 meta-analysis by Marc Brysbaert. Speaking time uses 150 words per minute.