Free Word Counter
Count words, characters, and check social media character limits in real-time. Perfect for Instagram, X, LinkedIn, TikTok & more.
Platform Character Limits
Keyword Density
Start typing to see keyword density
Optimal Post Lengths by Platform (2026)
Limit: 2,200 characters. Best practice: Keep the first 125 characters engaging since that's what appears before "more". Use caption generators to craft hooks that stop the scroll.
X / Twitter
Limit: 280 characters. Best practice: Posts with 71-100 characters get 17% more engagement than longer ones. Be concise and use threads for longer thoughts.
Limit: 3,000 characters. Best practice: 1,200-1,500 character posts see the highest engagement. Use AI content tools to expand ideas without fluff.
TikTok
Limit: 4,000 characters. Best practice: Keep captions under 150 characters. The video is the hero, so captions should hook viewers or provide CTAs, not long descriptions.
YouTube
Limit: 5,000 characters for descriptions. Best practice: Front-load the first 2-3 lines with your hook and CTA since that's visible before "Show more". Use description generators for SEO-optimized text.
Threads
Limit: 500 characters. Best practice: Stay between 100-200 characters for conversational, Twitter-like engagement. Threads favors short, punchy takes.
Why use a word counter?
Every social platform has different character limits and best practices. Using a word counter helps you:
- Stay within platform character limits to avoid cut-off posts
- Optimize post length for maximum engagement
- Identify keyword density for SEO and messaging consistency
- Calculate reading time for blog posts and newsletters
Track stats in real-time
Our word counter updates instantly as you type, showing you:
- Word count, character count (with and without spaces)
- Sentence and paragraph counts for readability analysis
- Average word and sentence length metrics
- Reading and speaking time estimates
- Top 10 keyword frequency analysis (excludes common stop words)
Schedule Optimized Posts to All Platforms
Use PostEverywhere's social media scheduler to plan, optimize, and auto-post to Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Facebook, Threads, Pinterest, Bluesky, Telegram, Discord, and WordPress from one dashboard.
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How to Use the Word Counter
Paste or type your text
Enter your social media caption, blog post, or any text into the editor. Stats update instantly as you type.
Review stats and limits
See word count, character count, reading time, and how your text fits within Instagram, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, and other platform limits.
Optimize and publish
Adjust your content to hit optimal lengths for maximum engagement. Copy and paste into your scheduler or publish directly.
Word Counter FAQ
What is the character limit for Instagram captions?
Instagram captions have a 2,200 character limit. However, only the first 125 characters appear before the 'more' button, so make your opening hook count.
How many characters can I use on X (Twitter)?
X posts have a 280 character limit for regular users. X Premium subscribers can post up to 25,000 characters, but shorter posts typically perform better for engagement.
What is the character limit for LinkedIn posts?
LinkedIn posts have a 3,000 character limit. Posts between 1,200-1,500 characters typically see the highest engagement as they provide value without overwhelming readers.
How long should my TikTok caption be?
TikTok captions can be up to 4,000 characters, but shorter captions (100-150 characters) tend to perform better. Focus on hooks and clear CTAs rather than lengthy descriptions.
Does word count affect SEO for blog posts?
Yes. Longer, comprehensive content (1,500-3,000+ words) tends to rank better in search engines because it provides more value and answers user questions thoroughly. However, quality always matters more than raw word count.
What is the ideal length for a social media post?
It varies by platform: Instagram (125-150 chars visible), X/Twitter (71-100 chars for max engagement), LinkedIn (1,200-1,500 chars), Facebook (40-80 chars), TikTok (100-150 chars), and Threads (100-200 chars). Always prioritize clarity and value over hitting character limits.
More Free Tools
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Write once and schedule to all top platforms from a single dashboard, with a visual calendar and caption generation built into the editor.
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- X
- Threads
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- Discord
- Telegram
- WordPress
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