The best word counter is the one that gives you the extra you need beside the number. Some counters only count words and characters, some count while they check spelling and grammar, and some add reading time, syllables or a file upload. Decide what you need next to the count, then pick from the list below.
Paste the same paragraph into ten word counters and you'll get a word count from all of them. What changes is everything around the number: character counts with or without spaces, spelling checks, reading time, syllables, or a button to open a file.
This list covers ten counters you open in a browser, using only what each maker's own page says, read on 2 Nov 2026 (as of Nov 2026). It's alphabetical and in no particular order. There are no accuracy tests or user numbers here: just what each counter shows beside the count.
Word counters at a glance
| Tool | Type | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Character Count Online | Browser character and word counter | Staying inside a character limit |
| CountWordsFree | Browser word and character counter | Writing to a magazine or blog limit |
| EasyWordCount | Browser word counter | Counting without opening Word |
| Grammarly | Word counter inside a writing assistant | Counts next to proofreading suggestions |
| iLoveNote | Browser word counter | A count with reading time |
| TextFixer | Browser character counter | Counts with and without spaces |
| Word Count Tools | Counter with text statistics | Syllables, sentences and word lengths |
| WordCount.com | Browser counter that opens documents | Counting words in a file |
| WordCounter.io | Counter with grammar and keyword checks | Spelling, grammar and keyword density |
| WordCounter.net | Online editor with a counter | Counting words and correcting writing |
Ten word and character counters
Character Count Online
Best for: Counting characters, words, sentences and paragraphs in pasted text, for example to stay inside the character limit of an email template.
CountWordsFree
Best for: Writers working to the word limit a magazine or blog sets, with characters counted beside the words.
EasyWordCount
Best for: Keeping a count of words and characters when you aren't working in Microsoft Word.
Grammarly
Best for: Seeing word, character and sentence counts beside proofreading suggestions for grammar, spelling and typos.
iLoveNote
Best for: Getting a word count together with the estimated reading time of the text, plus a download of the text in DOC format.
TextFixer
Best for: Character counts with and without spaces, plus a word count, for social media posts, essays and business documents.
Word Count Tools
Best for: Reports beyond the count: syllables, sentences, paragraphs, unique words, short words and long words.
WordCount.com
Best for: Opening a Word, PDF, ODT or TXT file on the page and counting the words in it.
WordCounter.io
Best for: Counting words and characters while checking spelling, grammar and keyword density.
WordCounter.net
Best for: Writers who want word and character counts in an online editor that also helps with word choice and writing style.
What sits beside the number
Here's the part a searcher wouldn't guess: a word counter isn't one tool. Character Count Online calls itself a 'character and word counting tool', and its page says it shows characters, words, sentences, paragraphs and whitespace as you type. Grammarly's counter shows 'word, character, and sentence counts' beside feedback on grammar, spelling and typos.
Word Count Tools goes further into the text, reporting the 'number of syllables' along with monosyllabic and polysyllabic words, unique words, short words and long words. iLoveNote's counter also works out the 'estimated time required to read' what you've written. And WordCounter.io sums up its own job as to 'count words and characters, correct spelling and grammar, and check keyword density'.
So the useful first question isn't which counter to use. It's what you need beside the number.
- Plain counts: words and characters, sometimes with sentences, paragraphs and spaces.
- Counts with proofreading: the count sits next to spelling and grammar checks.
- Counts with extras: reading time, syllables or unique words.
- Counters that open a file: you load a document instead of pasting text.
Character limits, spaces and plain counts
If you're writing to a limit, the counters that only count are the place to start. The maker of one counter here says they built it after needing to count the letters in an email template 'to avoid passing any character limits', and that it works on a mobile phone, computer, console or tablet.
TextFixer gives two separate counts, total characters including spaces and characters without spaces, and its page explains that some platforms count spaces while others don't. CountWordsFree points at the writer who's 'limited by a word count' set by a magazine or blog, and its toolbar can save the text as PDF, TXT, Word or ePUB.
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EasyWordCount is aimed at anyone who needs a count of words and characters but doesn't use Microsoft Word. Its page also suggests a use you mightn't expect: time yourself typing into the box for five minutes, divide the word count by five, and you've got your average words per minute.
Counting while you proofread
Some counters sit inside an editor that checks your writing as well. WordCounter.net says that apart from counting words and characters, its online editor can help you improve word choice and writing style, and can optionally detect grammar mistakes. Its toolbar also lists a thesaurus, case changes, find and replace, and downloads as PDF, TXT or DOC.
Of the other two counters with proofreading, one lists counts for words, characters, sentences, paragraphs and pages alongside keyword density and reading level, and the other puts its counts next to suggestions for grammatical mistakes, spelling errors and punctuation. If you'd rather fix the text and check the length in one place, that's the group to look at.
Reading time, syllables and files you open
WordCount.com lets you open a Word, PDF, ODT or TXT file on the page instead of pasting, and its results list reading time, speaking time, unique words and the longest sentence beside the count. You can also set a word goal or a limit and watch the count against it.
The reading-time counter on this list accepts TXT, DOC, DOCX and PDF uploads as well as pasted text, and its page says the reading time helps students prepare academic presentations. The text-statistics counter keeps your text in the browser, so you can come back and carry on later.
Before you paste your text
- Do I need a word count, a character count, or both?
- Does my limit count spaces, or not?
- Would I like spelling and grammar checks next to the count?
- Do I need reading time for a talk or presentation?
- Am I counting pasted text, or a file I've already got?
- Do I want to set a word goal and watch the count climb towards it?
Do you make a word counter or text tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My advice on picking a word counter
Start with what the limit is. If it's a character limit, pick a counter that shows characters with and without spaces. If it's an essay or article word count, any of the plain counters will do, and if you'd like the text checked at the same time, go for one with spelling and grammar built in. Writing a talk? A counter with reading time saves you doing the sums.
Already writing in Google Docs? Here's how to check word count in Google Docs without leaving it. And if you're after a full writing app rather than a counter, my list of Microsoft Word alternatives is a good next stop.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
Do word counters count characters too?
Every counter on this list shows a character count beside the word count, on the pages read on 2 Nov 2026. Some also show sentences, paragraphs and spaces, and one character counter gives two separate counts, with spaces and without.
Which counters show characters without spaces?
At least three do: one gives a total with spaces and a separate count without, one shows a without-white-spaces count next to its word count, and one reports the number of characters without spaces in its text statistics.
Can a word counter show reading time?
Yes. Two counters here show it: one works out the estimated time required to read the text, and another lists reading time and speaking time beside the word count.
Can I count the words in a file instead of pasting?
Some counters let you. One opens Word, PDF, ODT and TXT files on the page, and another accepts TXT, DOC, DOCX and PDF uploads. Others have an upload button or a load-from-disk option on their toolbars.
Which word counters also check grammar?
Three on this list do, in their makers' words: one corrects spelling and grammar and checks keyword density, one gives feedback on grammar, spelling and typos beside its counts, and one has an optional grammar and spell check in its online editor.
Which counters count syllables?
One counter here reports the number of syllables, along with monosyllabic and polysyllabic words, unique words and word lengths. Another lists syllables on its menu of counting tools.
