Word counter

Where to find it

Open the word counter. Live text counts, a writing goal, and estimated reading and speaking time on your device.

You can also try Word counter.

How it works

1. Paste or write the passage: Start with the text whose length you want to inspect.
2. Watch the counts update: Read the word and character counts alongside sentence and paragraph metrics.
3. Adjust toward your goal: Set a writing target and use the reading or speaking estimate as an approximate guide.

Access and scope

The word counter is free, needs no sign-up, and runs in your browser. Set a word goal to track your progress.

Counts follow the utility’s text rules, and reading or speaking time is an estimate. Course or assignment systems may count some text differently.

How long does it take to read 1,000 words?

About 4 minutes and 10 seconds at the default reading pace of 240 words per minute. At 180 words per minute it takes about 5 minutes 34 seconds, and at 300 it takes 3 minutes 20 seconds. Pick the pace closest to yours in the word counter.

How many words is a 5-minute speech?

About 750 words at 150 words per minute, the default speaking pace. A slower speaker at 120 words per minute covers about 600 words, and a faster one at 180 covers about 900. Once the length is right, check the wording with the grammar checker for essays.

How long is a 1,500-word speech?

A 1,500-word speech takes about 10 minutes at the default 150 words per minute. Slow down to 120 and it stretches to about 12 minutes 30 seconds. Speed up to 180 and it drops to about 8 minutes 20 seconds. Pauses, slides and audience questions add time.

How many words per minute is a normal speech?

Pace varies by speaker and setting. The speech time calculator uses 150 words per minute by default, and you can switch to 120 or 180 to match how you talk. Read a short passage aloud with a timer to find your own pace. Time estimates round up to the next second.