Count every character,
word & more — instantly

Free online character counter. No ads, no login. Paste your text and get results in real time.

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Reading Time
0 sec
avg 238 words / min
Speaking Time
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avg 150 words / min
Character Limit Checker
0 usedSet a limit above
Platform limits at a glance
Keyword density
Start typing to see keyword density…
Readability Score
Flesch Reading Ease — higher = easier to read
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Very Easy Easy Standard Fairly Difficult Difficult Very Difficult
Paste some text to get a readability score.
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About Character Counter

Character Counter is a free online tool that gives you an instant, accurate count of characters, words, spaces, sentences, paragraphs, and more as you type. No page reloads, no account required — just paste and go.

Whether you're a student checking an essay limit, a social media manager optimising posts for character limits, or a developer validating input length, Character Counter is built for speed and simplicity. Every statistic updates instantly — characters, words, sentences, paragraphs, reading time, speaking time, keyword density, and Flesch readability score.

Unlike other tools, Character Counter processes everything locally in your browser. Your text never leaves your device. There are no ads, no sign-ups, no tracking of what you write. It works on any device and any browser, even offline once the page has loaded.

Use the Character Limit Checker to test your text against Twitter's 280-character limit, Instagram's 2,200-character caption limit, LinkedIn's 3,000-character post limit, or set a custom limit for any platform. The Readability Score uses the Flesch Reading Ease formula to tell you how easy your text is to read — essential for content writers, SEO professionals, and educators.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many characters does Twitter / X allow?
Twitter / X allows 280 characters per tweet. URLs are always counted as 23 characters regardless of their actual length. Use the Twitter preset in the Character Limit Checker above to track your count in real time.
What is the Instagram caption character limit?
Instagram captions can be up to 2,200 characters long, but only the first 125 characters show before the "more" button. For maximum engagement, front-load your key message in the first 125 characters.
How long should a meta description be?
Google typically displays the first 150–160 characters of a meta description. Keep yours between 120 and 155 characters to avoid truncation in search results. Use the "Meta Description" preset above.
What is the word count for a college essay?
Common App essays have a 650-word limit. Most supplemental essays range from 150 to 650 words. Always check the specific requirements of each school — use the custom limit field above to set your exact word or character target.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is estimated at 238 words per minute, which is the average silent reading speed for adults reading non-technical prose. Speaking time uses 150 words per minute, the average for natural conversational speech. These are estimates — actual times vary.
What is a Flesch Reading Ease score?
The Flesch Reading Ease score rates text on a scale of 0–100. Higher scores mean easier reading. Scores of 60–70 are considered plain English suitable for most adults. Academic writing typically scores 30–50. Aim for 60+ for general audiences.
Is my text stored or sent anywhere?
No. All counting and analysis happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your text is never transmitted to our servers. We have no ability to see, store, or access anything you type.
What is the LinkedIn post character limit?
LinkedIn posts support up to 3,000 characters. However, only the first 140 characters are visible before the "see more" prompt. Articles on LinkedIn have no practical character limit.

Character & Word Count Guides

Everything you need to know about character limits across platforms and use cases.

Social Media

Twitter / X Character Limit in 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Twitter allows 280 characters per tweet — but not all characters are equal. URLs count as exactly 23 characters regardless of length, and emoji count as two characters each. Here's how to make every character count.

5 min read ·
280chars per tweet
23chars per URL
2chars per emoji
  • Front-load your key message in the first 100 characters
  • Use Twitter's native URL shortener — all URLs count as 23 chars
  • Threads let you chain tweets for longer content
  • Twitter Blue / X Premium subscribers can post up to 25,000 characters in long-form posts
Try Twitter limit checker ↑
Social Media

Instagram Caption Length: The Complete 2026 Guide

Instagram supports up to 2,200 characters in captions, but only the first 125 characters appear before the "more" button. Hashtags count toward the character limit and Instagram allows up to 30 per post.

6 min read ·
2,200max chars
125visible before "more"
30max hashtags
  • Put the most important info and CTA in the first 125 characters
  • Use line breaks to improve readability for longer captions
  • Hashtags at the end keep the caption clean
  • Bio is limited to 150 characters — make it count
Try Instagram limit checker ↑
Academic Writing

Word Count Guide for College Essays: Common App & Beyond

College essays have strict word limits that vary by school and prompt. The Common App personal statement has a hard 650-word limit. Going even one word over can disqualify your application at some schools.

7 min read ·
650Common App limit
250typical supplement
100–650supplemental range
  • Aim for 10% under the limit — it shows editorial discipline
  • The Common App counts contractions as one word
  • Numbers written as digits (e.g. "2026") count as one word
  • Hyphenated words like "well-written" typically count as one word
Check your essay word count ↑
SEO

Meta Description Length: How to Write Descriptions Google Won't Cut Off

Google displays approximately 155–160 characters of a meta description in search results. Going over doesn't penalise your ranking, but truncated descriptions get fewer clicks. Here's the exact formula.

4 min read ·
155ideal max chars
120safe minimum
60page title limit
  • Include your target keyword naturally in the first 60 characters
  • Write for humans first — Google may rewrite it anyway
  • Use the "Meta Description" preset in our limit checker above
  • Mobile shows slightly fewer characters — aim for 120 to be safe
Try Meta Description checker ↑
Professional

LinkedIn Post & Profile Character Limits: The Full Breakdown

LinkedIn has different character limits for every field. Posts allow up to 3,000 characters but only show 210 before the "see more" prompt on desktop. Your headline is just 220 characters — make it work hard.

5 min read ·
3,000post limit
220headline limit
2,600about section
  • The first 210 characters of a post are your hook — make them compelling
  • LinkedIn articles have no practical character limit
  • Connection requests allow only 300 characters — be direct
  • Comments are capped at 1,250 characters
Try LinkedIn limit checker ↑