Why count words and characters?
- CVs and cover letters: a cover letter of 250–400 words and a CV summary of 50–80 words are easy for recruiters to read.
- SEO: titles and meta descriptions that fit Google's limits get more clicks.
- Social media: X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram all limit post length.
- Assignments and applications: essays, statements of purpose and job forms often set a word limit.
Useful word counts
| Text | Typical length |
|---|---|
| CV / LinkedIn summary | 50–80 words |
| Cover letter | 250–400 words |
| Blog post that ranks well | 1,000–2,000 words |
| One page, single spaced | about 500 words |
| 5-minute speech | about 650 words |
Frequently asked questions
How are words counted?
A word is any group of letters or numbers separated by spaces or line breaks, so "IT-jobs" counts as one word and "IT jobs" as two. This matches how Microsoft Word and Google Docs count words.
Does it count characters with and without spaces?
Yes. You see both the total number of characters and the number without spaces, which some forms and assignments ask for.
How long should an SEO title and meta description be?
Keep page titles to about 50–60 characters and meta descriptions to about 150–160 characters, otherwise Google may cut them off in search results. The counter shows a green tick when your text fits.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time assumes an average of 200 words per minute, and speaking time 130 words per minute, which is a comfortable pace for a presentation or speech.
Is my text saved?
No. Counting happens in your browser and your text is never sent to our server. It is cleared when you close or refresh the page.
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Last reviewed 10 November 2026.