Skip to content
toolwise

Essay Word Counter

Track essay length against your word target and page estimate.

Your draft is saved only in this browser on this device. Nothing is uploaded. Clearing your browser data deletes it.

When to use it

Use this tool to check an essay, report, dissertation chapter or personal statement against its word limit. Unlike a basic word counter, it can leave out the reference list, in-text citations and headings, which many schools and universities do not count, and it shows pages, paragraphs, sentences and reading time.

How to use it

  1. Paste your essay into Your essay.
  2. Choose what to leave out: Don’t count the reference list, Don’t count in-text citations and Don’t count title and headings.
  3. Enter your Word limit and choose the Limit type: About (±10%), Maximum or Minimum.
  4. Read the words counted and the status message, which tells you if you are on target, over or under.
  5. Check Pages, double spaced, Pages, single spaced, Paragraphs, Sentences, Avg. sentence, Characters, Reading time and Speaking time.

Worked example

Your history essay has a 1,500-word limit, about ±10%. You paste 1,720 words, including a 160-word reference list and 70 words of citations like (Smith, 2020).

With the reference list excluded, the count is 1,560, which is within the allowed range. If your teacher also excludes citations, tick that box and the count drops to 1,490. The notes under the total show exactly how many words were left out and why, so you can explain your count if asked.

At about 1,500 words, the essay is roughly 5.5 pages double spaced and takes about 6 minutes to read, or 12 minutes to read aloud.

Planning by word count

Split your limit across sections before you write. For a 1,500-word essay, you might plan 150 words for the introduction, three main sections of about 400 words each, and 150 words for the conclusion. Paste each section as you finish it to see how you are doing.

Tips

  • Check your course rules. Some count headings and citations, some do not.
  • Watch the average sentence length. Above about 25 words, sentences can become hard to follow.
  • Cut, do not pad. If you are over, remove repetition and filler before cutting arguments.
  • Use speaking time for presentations. It estimates how long a speech will take at a natural pace.

Common mistakes

  • Counting the title page and appendix. Most limits only include the main text.
  • Relying on page counts. Fonts and margins change pages, so always use the word count for limits.
  • Leaving a reference heading unlabelled. The tool needs a heading like References on its own line to know where the list starts.

Frequently asked questions

Does the reference list count towards my word limit?

Usually not, but rules vary. Don't count the reference list is ticked by default. It removes everything after a heading such as References, Bibliography or Works Cited. Check your assignment guidelines.

What counts as an in-text citation?

Brackets containing a year or page number, like (Smith, 2020) or (p. 45), and numbered references like [3] or [1–4]. Tick Don't count in-text citations if your course leaves them out.

How are pages worked out?

Using typical averages of about 275 words per double-spaced page and 550 per single-spaced page, with a 12-point font. Your real page count depends on the font, margins and spacing.

What does About (±10%) mean?

Many teachers allow 10% above or below a word count. With a limit of 1,500 and About selected, anything from 1,350 to 1,650 words is shown as on target. Choose Maximum or Minimum if your limit is strict.

Is my essay saved?

Your draft is saved in this browser on this device so it is still there if you close the page. Nothing is uploaded. Use Clear essay to remove it.

Related tools