Word Counter for Essays & Academic Writing
Paste your essay to instantly count words, check sentence length, and verify you're within assignment word limits. Works for school essays, college applications, university assignments, dissertations, and research papers.
Common Essay Word Count Requirements
| Assignment Type | Typical Word Count |
|---|---|
| High school essay | 500–800 words |
| College application essay | 250–650 words |
| University undergraduate essay | 1,000–2,500 words |
| Master's dissertation | 15,000–20,000 words |
| PhD thesis | 80,000–100,000 words |
| Blog post (SEO) | 1,000–2,000 words |
| Short story | 1,000–7,500 words |
Tips for Hitting Your Word Count
If you're under your target word count, consider expanding your argument with supporting evidence, adding context or background, or including a stronger conclusion. If you're over the limit, remove filler phrases, shorten examples, and tighten your topic sentences.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I count words in a Google Doc?
In Google Docs, go to Tools → Word Count. Or paste your text into ClickSail for a faster, more detailed breakdown.
Does the word counter include footnotes?
This depends on your institution's policy. ClickSail counts all text you paste, so include or exclude footnotes accordingly.
What counts as a word?
Any sequence of characters separated by a space or punctuation counts as one word. Hyphenated words (well-being) typically count as one word.
Is it free?
Yes, completely free.
Is my text stored?
No. Your text never leaves your browser.
* All tools are browser-based and private.