Why count sentences?
Sentence count and sentence length shape how easy your writing is to read. Teachers often set assignments by number of sentences, editors watch for sentences that run too long, and readability scores are based on words per sentence. This tool shows all of these numbers at once, as you type.
How to use the sentence counter
- Paste your text into the box, or start typing.
- The counts update instantly: sentences, words, characters and paragraphs.
- Check the average and longest sentence to spot places that might be hard to read.
How sentences are counted
A sentence ends at a period (.), question mark (?) or exclamation point (!) followed by a space or the end of the text. To avoid false breaks, the counter skips common abbreviations like Mr., Dr., etc., e.g. and a.m., and single-letter initials. In the example in the box, "Dr. Lee opened the meeting at 9 a.m. sharp." counts as one sentence, not three.
Writing clearer sentences
- Vary your length. A short sentence after a long one adds punch and gives the reader a break.
- One idea per sentence. If a sentence has several "and" or "which" clauses, it can often be split.
- Watch the longest sentence. If it is over about 35 words, read it aloud and see if it still makes sense in one breath.
- Lead with the point. Put the key information near the start of the sentence.
Words, characters and limits
Many places limit length by characters rather than words, such as meta descriptions, social media posts and text messages. The character count includes spaces and punctuation, and the second count leaves out spaces, which some forms and assignments use instead.
Last reviewed October 2026.