How we count
- Words: runs of letters or numbers; hyphenated words and contractions count as one word.
- Characters: every character including spaces and line breaks; emoji count as one.
- Reading time: words ÷ 238 per minute, the average silent reading rate for English nonfiction found in a 2019 review of 190 studies (Brysbaert).
- Speaking time: words ÷ 150 per minute, a typical presentation pace.
Your text stays in your browser (it is also saved locally so a refresh doesn’t lose it).
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a page?
Roughly 500 words single-spaced or 250 double-spaced in a 12-pt font, depending on font and margins.
Do numbers count as words?
Yes, “2025” counts as one word.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-14.