Free Word Counter
Paste or type your text below to instantly count words, characters, sentences, and more. Used by thousands of writers to track their progress.
Track Your Word Count Daily
Hearth tracks your writing sessions, word counts, and streaks automatically. Set daily goals and watch your novel grow.
Start writing free for 7 daysWhy Word Count Matters for Writers
Professional writers track their word count religiously. Stephen King writes 2,000 words a day. Ernest Hemingway aimed for 500. Knowing your word count helps you set achievable daily goals and build the consistency that finishes books.
Standard Word Counts by Format
- Flash fiction: Under 1,000 words
- Short story: 1,000–7,500 words
- Novelette: 7,500–17,500 words
- Novella: 17,500–40,000 words
- Novel: 40,000–110,000 words
- Blog post: 1,000–2,500 words
- Academic paper: 3,000–8,000 words
- Screenplay: ~20,000–25,000 words (90-120 pages)
How Reading Time Is Calculated
The average adult reads at 238 words per minute (based on research published in the Journal of Memory and Language). Speaking pace is approximately 150 words per minute, useful for speeches, podcasts, and audiobook planning.
Built-In Word Tracking in Hearth
Stop pasting into external tools. Hearth shows your word count as you write, tracks daily goals, and builds your writing streak automatically.
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