Free tool · private
Word & readability counter
Counts, reading time and readability — plus the register and sentence-length suggestions from our writing checker, because a word count on its own rarely tells you anything useful.
Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, stored or sent anywhere.
Statistics
- Words
- 0
- Sentences
- 0
- Avg sentence
- 0 words
- Longest sentence
- 0 words
- Reading time
- 1 min
- Reading grade
- —
Suggestions
Paste text on the left and suggestions appear here as you type.
Short answer
How long should my assignment be?
Follow your brief, and stay within 10% of the stated limit unless your handbook says otherwise. As a general guide: undergraduate essays run 1,500–3,000 words, advanced modules 3,000–5,000, a master’s dissertation 12,000–20,000, and a literature review about 20–30% of the total. Reference lists and appendices are usually excluded from the count while in-text citations are included — but confirm that in your own handbook.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is an essay?
- University essays are typically 1,500–3,000 words at undergraduate level and 3,000–5,000 for advanced modules. Master's dissertations usually run 12,000–20,000 words. Always follow your own brief — these are conventions, not rules.
- Can I go over the word limit?
- Most institutions allow ±10% and penalise beyond it; some simply stop reading at the limit, which is worse than a penalty. Check your handbook, because the rule genuinely varies.
- Does the reference list count toward the word limit?
- Usually not — reference lists, appendices and often footnotes are excluded, while in-text citations are included. This varies by institution, so confirm it in your module handbook rather than assuming.
- What is a good Flesch reading ease score for academic writing?
- Academic prose typically scores 30–50, which reads as 'difficult' — that is normal and expected for a specialist audience. Below 30 usually signals sentences that are too long rather than ideas that are too complex.