Count words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs in real time. Get readability scores and keyword density analysis — all instantly, no signup needed.
| Keyword | Count | Density |
|---|---|---|
| Enter text to see keyword density | ||
Our tool analyses your text across four key dimensions to help you write better academic content
Accurate word, character (with and without spaces), sentence, and paragraph counts. Track your progress against assignment word limits in real time.
Reading time (200 words per minute) and speaking time (130 words per minute) estimates. Useful for presentations, speeches, and timed assessments.
Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level scores. Understand how accessible your writing is and adjust complexity for your target audience.
Top 10 most-used words (excluding common stop words) with counts and percentages. Identify overused terms and improve vocabulary variety.
Our expert writers craft well-researched, properly structured essays that meet your exact word count and academic requirements.
Get Essay Writing HelpWord count requirements are a fundamental part of academic assignments. Understanding how to manage your word count effectively — neither falling short nor exceeding the limit — is an essential skill that directly affects your grades. Most universities allow a 10% tolerance above or below the stated limit, but this varies by institution.
Short essays and reflections typically range from 500 to 1,500 words. Standard undergraduate essays are usually 1,500 to 3,000 words. Literature reviews and research reports range from 3,000 to 5,000 words. Dissertations and theses vary significantly: undergraduate dissertations are typically 8,000 to 12,000 words, masters dissertations 15,000 to 20,000, and doctoral theses 60,000 to 100,000 words.
Generally, the word count includes everything in the main body of your text — from the introduction through to the conclusion. Most institutions exclude the title page, abstract, table of contents, reference list, and appendices. However, in-text citations and footnotes are usually included. Always check your specific assignment guidelines, as policies vary between departments.
The Flesch Reading Ease score ranges from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate easier reading. Academic writing typically scores between 30 and 50, corresponding to a college or graduate reading level. Undergraduate essays should aim for a score between 40 and 60, while doctoral-level writing may score lower due to technical vocabulary and complex sentence structures.
If you are over the word limit, look for redundant phrases, unnecessary qualifiers, and repeated ideas. Replace wordy expressions with concise alternatives — for example, "due to the fact that" can become "because". If you are under the limit, review whether you have fully developed each argument, provided sufficient evidence, or addressed all aspects of the question. Use the word counter above to track your progress in real time.