Word Counter

Paste Markdown, see real word counts, character counts, and reading time — with Markdown syntax excluded from the totals.

Words
42
Characters
265
218 without spaces
Sentences
4
Paragraphs
4
Reading time
1 min
at ~200 wpm
Mode
Prose only
Strips fenced code

Counts are calculated after stripping Markdown syntax: heading markers, list bullets, link URLs (kept visible text), images, and inline formatting. Fenced code blocks are excluded by default so prose counts stay realistic.

About this tool

The Markdown Word Counter gives you accurate word and character counts for Markdown documents by stripping the syntax before counting. Asterisks, hashes, link brackets, and fenced code blocks don't inflate your numbers — you see counts that reflect the actual prose your readers will experience.

Along with words and characters, the tool reports sentence count, paragraph count, and estimated reading time (at 200 words per minute, the research-backed average for adult readers of nonfiction). Code blocks can optionally be included or excluded from counts, depending on whether you treat code as part of the reading experience or as supporting material.

All processing happens in your browser. Paste drafts, excerpts, or entire books — nothing is uploaded, nothing is stored.

How it works

  1. 1

    Paste your Markdown

    Drop Markdown text into the input area. The tool handles everything from a single paragraph to a full-length document.

  2. 2

    Review the counts

    Word count, character count (with and without spaces), sentence count, paragraph count, and reading time update live as you type or edit.

  3. 3

    Toggle code block inclusion

    Decide whether fenced code blocks count toward totals. For prose-focused work (blogs, essays), exclude them. For technical docs where code is part of the length target, include them.

Common use cases

  • Hitting a word-count target for a blog post, article, or newsletter
  • Estimating reading time to add to a blog post's header
  • Measuring the length of README sections while keeping them scannable
  • Auditing document length for SEO (most long-form guides perform best at 1,500–3,000 words)
  • Verifying that an essay or academic submission fits a word-limit requirement

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the word count exclude Markdown syntax?+
Yes. Headings lose their leading #, lists lose their bullet characters, links keep only the visible text (not the URL), and image alt text is counted but not the image path. The counts reflect what a reader actually sees.
How is reading time calculated?+
Reading time uses 200 words per minute, the research-backed average for adult readers of nonfiction. For highly technical content with code, real reading time is often higher; for breezy content, lower. It's a ballpark, not a promise.
Can I include or exclude code blocks from the count?+
Yes. Toggle the "Include code blocks" option. By default, fenced code blocks are excluded, because most writers don't count code toward prose length.
Does it count characters with or without spaces?+
Both. You see character count with spaces (what most character-limited fields like Twitter and meta descriptions care about) and without spaces (used in some academic and legal contexts).
Is my text uploaded anywhere?+
No. Counting runs locally in your browser. You can paste proprietary drafts, unpublished work, or legal documents safely — nothing leaves your device.

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