Word Count & Reading Level Tool
Count words, characters, sentences, paragraphs and estimate reading time and Flesch-Kincaid reading level for any text.
Inputs
About Word Count & Reading Level Tool
Reading speeds
Average adult reading: 200-300 wpm (this calculator uses 250). Speed readers: 400-700 wpm with comprehension. Speaking: 130 wpm comfortable, 150-160 wpm fast. Audiobooks: 140-180 wpm typically.
Flesch-Kincaid grade
A readability score: roughly the US grade level needed to understand the text. Newspapers target grade 8-10. Academic papers often 12+. Government/legal documents target grade 8 for accessibility. Lower = more accessible to wider audiences.
When count matters
Tweet: 280 chars. Reddit/LinkedIn post: under 200 words ideal. Blog post: 600-2,000+ words for SEO. Academic essay: usually 1,500-5,000 words. Novels: 70-90k words typical. Check your platform/assignment for specifics.