Free browser tool
College essay word counter
Free word counter for Common App (650), UC PIQ (350) and supplemental essays — no account, nothing uploaded. Paste your draft, pick the limit, then grade it when you are ready.
- Common App · UC PIQ · 150 / 250 / 400 supplemental presets
- Live remaining / over-limit status as you edit
- Private: counting stays in your browser
Hard limit on the Common App portal.
Words
0
Characters
0
Limit
650
Remaining
650
Paste a draft to see the live count against the limit you chose.
After you hit the limit
A draft that fits the box still needs voice, reflection and evidence. Use the free grader next — it quotes the sentences holding the score down and ranks what to revise first.
FAQ
- What is the Common App essay word limit?
- 650 words. There is no official minimum, but most competitive drafts land between 500 and 650 words.
- What is the UC PIQ word limit?
- 350 words per Personal Insight Question. UC applicants answer four of eight prompts.
- Does this word counter upload my essay?
- No. Counting runs entirely in your browser. The text never leaves your device unless you choose to open the grader.
- How do colleges count words?
- Portals usually split on whitespace, similar to this counter. Fancy dash tricks rarely help; revise the sentences instead.
- I am over the limit — what should I cut first?
- Cut throat-clearing openers, repeated examples, and adjectives that do not change the meaning. Keep the specific scene and the reflection that only you could write.
- Can I count Chinese or other languages?
- This counter splits on whitespace, which works for English drafts. For character-based languages, use the character count and the school’s published rules.
- Is the word counter free?
- Yes. Free forever, no account, no signup. Optional next step: grade the draft with our free college essay grader.
- Does a shorter essay score better?
- Not automatically. Under the limit with unused room is fine if every sentence earns its place. Padding to hit 650 usually hurts specificity.
- What supplemental limits are most common?
- 150, 250 and 400 words are the usual bands. Always use the exact number on the school’s prompt — pick Custom limit if yours differs.
- After I hit the limit, what next?
- Open the free grader on this site. It scores the draft out of 100, quotes the weak sentences, and ranks what to revise — still without requiring an account for the free review.