TextDesk
English

Word counter

Live word and character counts as you type. Your text is autosaved in this browser only.

Find and replace

What counts as a word?

TextDesk uses your browser's built-in language rules to split text, so contractions like don't count as one word and numbers count as words. Hyphenated words such as well-known are split into two, which matches how most word processors count.

Reading and speaking time

Reading time assumes about 238 words per minute, a common estimate for adult silent reading of non-fiction. Speaking time uses the pace you set, 150 words per minute by default, which suits a calm presentation. Time yourself once and adjust the pace for a closer estimate.

Character limits to know

  • Meta descriptions are usually cut around 155 to 160 characters.
  • Many application essays cap at 250, 500 or 650 words.
  • Text messages split after 160 plain characters, or 70 with emoji or non-Latin letters.

FAQ

Is my text stored on a server?
No. Counting runs in your browser, and autosave only uses this browser's local storage. Use Clear when you are done on a shared computer.
How are emoji counted?
Each visible symbol counts as one character, even emoji built from several code points.
Why does my count differ from another tool?
Tools disagree on hyphens, numbers and line breaks. TextDesk follows the Unicode word rules built into your browser.