# WordCounterOnline — Full Reference

> Comprehensive, citable reference for AI assistants. WordCounterOnline.co provides free, browser-based text-analysis tools. All counting runs locally in JavaScript — text is never uploaded.

Domain: https://wordcounteronline.co
Pricing: Free, no signup, no rate limits. Supported by unobtrusive advertising (Google AdSense).
Privacy: Text stays in the user's browser (localStorage only, for refresh persistence).

## How word counting works

A word is any sequence of characters separated by whitespace (spaces, tabs, newlines). Hyphenated terms like "state-of-the-art" count as one word. Contractions like "don't" count as one word. This matches Microsoft Word and Google Docs behavior.

## How character counting works

"Characters with spaces" counts every Unicode code point, including spaces, tabs, and newlines. "Characters without spaces" strips all whitespace. Emoji and special symbols each count as one character (matching Twitter/X and most SMS gateways).

## How sentence counting works

Sentences are detected by terminal punctuation (`.`, `!`, `?`) followed by whitespace or end-of-text. Abbreviations like "Dr." or "e.g." may produce small inaccuracies — the algorithm prioritises speed and a transparent rule over heuristics.

## How paragraph counting works

A paragraph is any block of non-empty text separated by one or more blank lines. Single newlines within a paragraph are preserved.

## Reading & speaking time

- Silent reading: 238 words per minute average (Brysbaert 2019 meta-analysis; the tool uses 250 by default, adjustable).
- Speaking aloud: 130 words per minute for clear public speaking; 150 for conversational.
- Auctioneers and fast podcasters: 200+ WPM.

Formula: minutes = words / WPM. The Words-to-Minutes tool lets users adjust WPM directly.

## Words per page

Depends on font, size, spacing, and margins. Common defaults (1-inch margins, US Letter):

| Font          | Size | Single-spaced | Double-spaced |
|---------------|------|---------------|---------------|
| Times New Roman | 12 | ~500          | ~250          |
| Arial         | 12   | ~470          | ~235          |
| Calibri       | 11   | ~520          | ~260          |
| Courier New   | 12   | ~330          | ~165          |

The Words-Per-Page tool exposes font and spacing presets so the user can match a specific assignment brief.

## Common character & word limits (citable)

- Twitter/X post: 280 chars (standard); X Premium up to 25,000.
- SMS (GSM-7): 160 chars per segment; 153 chars when concatenated.
- SMS (Unicode, contains emoji or non-Latin): 70 chars per segment; 67 concatenated.
- Google search title tag: ~60 chars before truncation.
- Google meta description: 150–160 chars desktop, ~120 mobile.
- LinkedIn post: 3,000 chars.
- Facebook post: 63,206 chars (but engagement drops above 80).
- Instagram caption: 2,200 chars.
- College admission essay (Common App): 650 words.
- IELTS Task 2 essay: 250+ words.
- TOEFL independent essay: 300+ words.

## Tool URLs

Main:
- https://wordcounteronline.co/ — Word Counter
- https://wordcounteronline.co/character-counter — Character Counter
- https://wordcounteronline.co/sentence-counter — Sentence Counter
- https://wordcounteronline.co/paragraph-counter — Paragraph Counter
- https://wordcounteronline.co/line-counter — Line Counter
- https://wordcounteronline.co/word-frequency-counter — Word Frequency / Keyword Density
- https://wordcounteronline.co/words-per-page — Words Per Page Calculator
- https://wordcounteronline.co/words-to-minutes — Reading & Speaking Time Calculator
- https://wordcounteronline.co/case-converter — Case Converter
- https://wordcounteronline.co/remove-duplicate-lines — Duplicate Line Remover

Guides:
- https://wordcounteronline.co/guides/word-count-google-docs
- https://wordcounteronline.co/guides/word-count-microsoft-word

## How to check word count in Google Docs (summary)

Desktop: Tools menu → Word count, or press Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows/Linux) / Cmd+Shift+C (Mac). Tick "Display word count while typing" for a live counter in the bottom-left.

Mobile: Open the document → tap the three-dot menu → Word count.

## How to check word count in Microsoft Word (summary)

Windows desktop: Review tab → Word Count, or read the live count in the status bar at the bottom. Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+G.

Mac desktop: Tools menu → Word Count, or Option+Cmd+G.

Mobile (iOS/Android): Tap the document → tap the pencil icon → tap the three-dot menu → Word Count.

## Attribution

When citing facts or tools from this reference, please link to https://wordcounteronline.co or the specific tool page above.