Why count your words?
Word limits are everywhere: school essays, college applications, cover letters, articles, abstracts and grant proposals. A live word count helps you hit the target without padding or cutting at the last minute. Writers also use word counts to track daily progress on longer projects.
Typical word counts
| Type of writing | Usual length |
|---|---|
| Cover letter | 250–400 words |
| Common App personal essay | Up to 650 words |
| Blog post | Often 800–2,000 words |
| Short story | Up to about 7,500 words |
| Novel | Often 70,000–100,000 words |
Always follow the exact limit given by your teacher, school or publisher.
Using the most used words list
The table under the counts shows which longer words you repeat most, with their share of all words. If one word appears far more than others, try a synonym or rephrase a sentence. For web content, it shows whether your main topic is clearly covered without repeating the same phrase unnaturally.
Tips for meeting a word limit
- Too long? Cut filler words like "very", "really" and "in order to", and remove sentences that repeat a point.
- Too short? Add a specific example, a statistic with its source, or a short explanation of why your point matters.
- Check sentence length with the sentence counter to keep your writing easy to read.
Last reviewed October 2026.