Limato
Word Counter
Count words, characters, sentences, and reading time instantly — right as you type. Free, private, no signup. Everything runs in your browser.
How to use the word counter
Paste or type your text in the box above. Every count updates live — words, characters (with and without spaces), sentences, paragraphs, and estimated reading and speaking time. Nothing is sent to a server; your text never leaves your browser.
Common word and character limits
- X / Twitter post: 280 characters
- Meta description (SEO): ~155 characters
- LinkedIn post: 3,000 characters
- College application essay: ~500 words
- UCAS personal statement: 4,000 characters
- SEO blog post: 1,500–2,500 words
Why word count matters when you write in a second language
Non-native writers tend to over-write — longer sentences, more words, more hedging ("I would like to kindly ask if it would be possible…"). Native writers say the same thing in half the words. Use the counter to spot bloat, then run the text through Limato to cut it down to how a native would actually write it.
Write it right, not just count it
Limato's Chrome extension rewrites clunky non-native English into natural, native-sounding text on any website — Gmail, Slack, LinkedIn, Notion. 20 free rewrites a day.
Add to Chrome — FreeFrequently asked questions
How does the word counter count words?
It splits your text on spaces and line breaks, so each run of non-space characters counts as one word. This matches how Google Docs and Microsoft Word count.
Is my text stored or sent anywhere?
No. All counting happens locally in your browser with JavaScript. Your text is never uploaded, logged, or saved.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time assumes an average adult reading speed of 200 words per minute. Speaking time assumes 130 words per minute, a natural presentation pace.
What is the readability score?
The readability cell shows the Flesch Reading Ease score from 0 to 100. Higher is easier to read; 60 to 70 is plain English that most people understand without effort.
Does it work for languages other than English?
Word, character, sentence, and paragraph counts work in any language. The readability score is tuned for English — for Spanish, use our contador de palabras instead.