ChatGPTFree, with limits2 min5 steps

How to count words and characters in ChatGPT

AI Toolbox shows a small line under ChatGPT's message box that counts your characters, words and sentences as you type. It is free. Premium adds a Writing Analytics panel with estimated tokens, reading time and limits for X, LinkedIn and Instagram. To hide the counter, switch off Writing Analytics in AI Toolbox Settings under Usage & Analytics.

By Adi Leviim, Co-Founder at Infi Developments Last updated

Step by step

  1. Type in the ChatGPT message box

    Open chatgpt.com and click in the message box at the bottom of the page, where you type to ChatGPT. Type or paste some text.

    Just under the box, on the left, a small line of text shows your counts.

    You should see: A line such as 42 characters / 8 words / 2 sentences under the message box.

  2. Watch the numbers change

    The counts update as you type, paste or delete. Characters counts every letter, space and symbol. Sentences are counted by periods, question marks and exclamation marks.

    When you send the message and the box is empty again, the counts go back to 0.

    You should see: The numbers go up and down as you edit.

  3. Open Writing Analytics (Premium)

    Next to the counts is a small arrow. Its label is Writing Analytics. Click it.

    On Premium, a panel opens with Tokens (est.), Reading Time, Speaking Time, Paragraphs and Platform Limits. The limits show bars for X, LinkedIn and Instagram, so you can see if your text fits a post.

    On the free plan, the arrow opens a window called Know your writing at a glance that explains the Premium panel.

    You should see: The Writing Analytics panel above the counts.

    The arrow appears a moment after the page loads, once AI Toolbox has checked your plan.

  4. Close the panel

    Click the small arrow again, or click anywhere outside the panel.

    You should see: Only the short counts line is left under the message box.

  5. Turn the counter off (optional)

    Click the round AI Toolbox button in the bottom-right corner of ChatGPT. A search box called Command Palette opens. Type settings and press Enter.

    In the Settings window, find Usage & Analytics and click the switch next to Writing Analytics to turn it off. Click it again to turn the counter back on.

    You should see: The counts line disappears from under the message box within a second.

That's it. You have finished every tutorial in this section.

If something doesn't look right

I don't see the counts under the message box

Open AI Toolbox Settings, go to Usage & Analytics, and check that Writing Analytics is switched on. Then refresh the page. The counter appears under ChatGPT's main message box.

There is no arrow next to the counts

The arrow shows after AI Toolbox checks your plan, which takes a moment after the page loads. Wait a few seconds or refresh the page.

The token number is different from another tool

Tokens (est.) is an estimate, about 4 characters per token for English text. ChatGPT's exact count depends on the model. Use it as a guide, not an exact number.

Clicking the arrow opened an upgrade window

The Writing Analytics panel is a Premium feature. The characters, words and sentences line stays free and keeps working.

Free and Premium

The characters, words and sentences line is free for everyone. The Writing Analytics panel, with tokens, reading time, speaking time, paragraphs and social media limits, is Premium.

  • Free: the live characters / words / sentences line.
  • Premium: the Writing Analytics panel with tokens, reading time, speaking time, paragraphs and social media limits.
  • Platform limits used: X 280 characters, LinkedIn 3,000 and Instagram 2,200. Reading time assumes 200 words a minute, speaking time 130.

Questions people ask

How do I count words in ChatGPT?

Install the free AI Toolbox extension. A small line appears under the ChatGPT message box that counts characters, words and sentences as you type or paste. It updates live, so you can check the length of a prompt before you send it. There is nothing to click or turn on.

How can I estimate tokens in a ChatGPT prompt?

With AI Toolbox Premium, click the small arrow next to the word count under the ChatGPT message box. The Writing Analytics panel shows Tokens (est.), an estimate of about 4 characters per token for English. It also shows reading time, speaking time, paragraphs and social media limits.

Is the ChatGPT word counter free?

Yes. The characters, words and sentences line under the ChatGPT message box is free for everyone with AI Toolbox. The Writing Analytics panel, which adds estimated tokens, reading time, speaking time, paragraphs and limits for X, LinkedIn and Instagram, is part of AI Toolbox Premium.

How do I turn off the word counter in ChatGPT?

Open AI Toolbox Settings from the Command Palette, find the Usage & Analytics section, and switch off Writing Analytics. The counts line disappears from under the ChatGPT message box within a second. Switch it on again in the same place whenever you want the counter back.

Can I check if my text fits a LinkedIn or X post?

Yes, with AI Toolbox Premium. The Writing Analytics panel under the ChatGPT message box has Platform Limits bars for X (280 characters), LinkedIn (3,000) and Instagram (2,200). Each bar fills as you type and turns red when your text is too long for that site.

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