Sentence counter
Sentence count on its own tells you little. Average sentence length tells you a great deal. It is the biggest single factor in whether prose reads easily.
Numbers appear here once you add text.
- Free, no sign-up
- Counts as you type
- Your text never leaves your browser
What counts as a sentence
A sentence ends at a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark followed by a space or the end of the text. Common abbreviations — Mr., Dr., e.g., etc., Inc. — are recognised and do not end a sentence, which is where naive counters go wrong.
Some edge cases stay genuinely ambiguous. An ellipsis mid-thought, a semicolon joining two independent clauses, or dialogue punctuated inside quotation marks can each be argued either way. Treat the count as accurate to within a percent or two on ordinary prose.
Average sentence length is the number to watch
Readability formulas weight sentence length heavily because long sentences force the reader to hold more in working memory before the meaning resolves. The averages below are a rough guide, not a rule.
| Average length | Reads as | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| 8–11 words | Punchy, sometimes abrupt | Ads, UI copy, children's writing |
| 12–17 words | Clear and unremarkable | Journalism, blogs, business writing |
| 18–22 words | Considered, slightly formal | Essays, reports, long-form features |
| 23–29 words | Dense; readers slow down | Academic and legal prose |
| 30+ words | Hard going for most readers | Usually a sign to split |
The healthiest prose varies. A run of sentences all the same length reads as flat even when each one is well built, so a long sentence followed by a short one does more for rhythm than hitting any particular average.
Common questions
Does a semicolon end a sentence?
Not for counting purposes. A semicolon joins two independent clauses into one sentence, so the counter treats it as internal punctuation. If you want each clause counted separately, replace the semicolon with a full stop.
Why is my sentence count higher than I expected?
Usually decimal numbers, abbreviations we do not recognise, or file names and URLs containing full stops. Ellipses used as a pause can also register as a terminator.
What is a good average sentence length?
For general audiences, 15 to 20 words. Plain-language guidance for public-facing text often suggests staying nearer 15. Academic writing typically runs longer and that is appropriate to its readers.
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- Character counterWith spaces, without spaces, letters and digits.
- Reading time calculatorMinutes to read, at researched reading speeds.