0
Sentences
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Words
0
Avg words per sentence
0 words
Longest sentence
0 words
Shortest sentence
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Paragraphs
How to use
01
Paste or open your text
Type or paste into the Your text box, press Open file for a .txt, .docx or .pdf, or drop a file on the box. Try sample loads a short paragraph with one very long sentence.
02
Choose how sentences are split
Leave Don't split after Mr., Dr., e.g. and initials ticked for normal prose. Tick Each line is a sentence for lists and headings. Set Long sentence limit to the length your style guide allows.
03
Review every sentence
Read the totals and the length spread, then scroll Every sentence. Sort it longest first or tick Only long sentences to see what to shorten, and copy or download the list.
Why Sentence Counter
- Counts sentences without splitting at Mr., Dr., e.g. or initials.
- Average, median, longest and shortest sentence length in words.
- Flags sentences over your limit and lists each one with its word count.
- Copy sentences one per line or export them as CSV.
Sentence length guide
Sentence length is one of the simplest ways to judge how easy a text is to read. These ranges are widely used rules of thumb, not strict limits.
| Sentence length | How it reads | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 10 words | Punchy, very easy | Key points, instructions, emphasis |
| 11 to 20 words | Comfortable | Most web and business writing |
| 21 to 30 words | Demanding | Explanations with one clear idea |
| 31+ words | Hard to follow | Split in two, or turn into a list |
How to shorten a long sentence
When a sentence is flagged as long, a few simple edits usually fix it without losing meaning.
- Split at and, but or which: each half often stands on its own.
- Turn a series of items into a bulleted list.
- Cut filler such as in order to, due to the fact that, at this point in time.
- Move background detail into its own sentence before the main point.
- Read it aloud: if you need a breath in the middle, it is too long.
Common questions
How does the sentence counter decide where a sentence ends?
A sentence ends at a full stop, question mark, exclamation mark or ellipsis followed by a space or the end of the text. Closing quotes and brackets after the mark stay with the sentence. The Hindi danda, the Urdu full stop and the Chinese and Japanese full stop also end a sentence.
Why does the sentence counter not split after Dr. or e.g.?
A full stop after a common abbreviation, such as Mr., Mrs., Dr., Prof., e.g., i.e., vs., a.m. or U.S., or after a single capital initial, usually does not end the sentence. The option is on by default. Untick it if your text really ends sentences with those words.
What is a good average sentence length?
For web writing and business documents, an average of 15 to 20 words reads comfortably. Plain language guides often suggest keeping most sentences under 25 words. Mix short and long sentences rather than making them all the same length.
How do I count sentences in a Word document?
Press Open file and choose the .docx, or drop it on the text box. The text, including footnotes, is read in your browser and counted straight away. Microsoft Word itself does not show a sentence count in its Word Count window.
Can each line count as its own sentence?
Yes. Tick Each line is a sentence and every line break ends a sentence, even without a full stop. That suits bullet lists, headings, subtitles and poems. With the option off, a single line break inside a paragraph does not end a sentence.
What is the difference between the average and median sentence length?
The average adds up all the words and divides by the number of sentences, so one 80 word sentence pulls it up. The median is the middle length when sentences are sorted, so it shows the typical sentence. A big gap between the two means a few very long sentences.
Does the sentence counter count questions separately?
Yes. Sentences ending in a question mark are counted as questions and those ending in an exclamation mark as exclamations. The rest are counted as statements. The three numbers always add up to the total.
Can I export the sentence list to Excel?
Press CSV to download every sentence with its number, word count and character count. The file opens in Excel or Google Sheets with accented and non-English text intact. Copy one per line puts the sentences on your clipboard instead.