· @kent williams
What OpenCharacterCounter is
OpenCharacterCounter is a free set of browser-based text tools: a character and word counter that shows live counts, reading time and platform limits, and a case converter for headlines and code. It is built for writers, marketers, students and developers who need to check text length quickly and who do not want to upload their writing to a server or create an account.
Who builds it
OpenCharacterCounter is built and maintained by Kent Williams, its founder and developer. It started as a personal project and grew into a small suite of tools. Kent writes about writing constraints, platform limits and SEO, drawn from building the tools that help people fit their words into the box, and he answers messages himself.
How the numbers are calculated
Every result comes from a simple rule you can check yourself.
|
Result |
How it is calculated |
|---|---|
|
Characters (with spaces) |
Every letter, number, space, punctuation mark and line break |
|
Characters (no spaces) |
The same count with spaces removed |
|
Words |
Text split on spaces, ignoring extra spaces and line breaks |
|
Sentences |
Periods, question marks and exclamation points followed by a space or line break |
|
Paragraphs |
Line breaks in your text |
|
Reading time |
Words divided by 225 words per minute |
|
Speaking time |
Words divided by 140 words per minute |
|
Reading level |
The Automated Readability Index (ARI), a U.S. grade-level estimate from word and sentence length |
These rules are the same ones most social and SEO tools use, so a count can differ from Word or Google Docs by a word or two. Abbreviations such as “Dr.” and ellipses can also add to the sentence count.
Our content standards
The blog explains character limits and writing constraints. Each guide follows the same rules:
- Named author and date. Every post shows who wrote it and when it was last updated.
- Checked against official sources. Platform limits are verified against each platform’s own documentation where it exists, and linked.
- Conflicts are stated. When sources disagree, the post says so instead of picking a number silently.
- No invented data. Examples are labeled as examples, and statistics always name their source.
- Corrections. If you find an error, email us and we will fix it and update the date.
How the site is funded, and your text
The tools are free and need no account. The site is supported by advertising through Google AdSense. Your text is processed in your browser and is never sent to our servers, so it is not stored or shared. Read the Privacy Policy for details about ads and cookies.
What’s next, and how to reach us
We plan to add more text tools and in-depth guides based on what visitors ask for. To suggest a tool, report a bug or point out a mistake in a guide, email Kent at info@opencharactercounter.com. We usually reply within one to two business days.