Syllable Counter: Count Words and Text
This syllable counter counts the syllables in a single word, a sentence, a song or a whole poem. Type or paste your text to see the total syllables, syllables per line and a table of every word with its syllable count. Poets can check a haiku for the 5-7-5 pattern or keep the meter of each line even, and teachers can use it for phonics practice. It also gives the Flesch Reading Ease score and the Flesch-Kincaid grade level, which are based on words per sentence and syllables per word. Counts come from English spelling rules plus a list of tricky words, all running in your browser.
Syllable Counter
Count syllables in any word, sentence or poem. Check haiku 5-7-5 lines and get Flesch reading ease and grade level.
How to use the Syllable Counter
- Type a word, or paste a sentence, poem or song.
- Read the total syllables and the count for each line.
- Check the word table for any word you want to see.
- For a haiku, write three lines and look for the 5-7-5 check.
Features
- Syllables per word, per line and in total
- Haiku 5-7-5 checker
- Flesch Reading Ease and grade level
- Word table with counts
- Handles silent e, -ed and -es endings
- Private, runs in your browser
Frequently asked questions
How do you count syllables in a word?
Count the vowel sounds you hear. Each sound is one syllable. For example, wa-ter has 2 and beau-ti-ful has 3. A silent e at the end, as in make, does not add a syllable.
How accurate is the syllable counter?
It uses English spelling rules plus a list of exceptions, so it is right for most common words. Some names, rare words and words that people say in different ways may be off by one.
How many syllables are in a haiku?
A traditional English haiku has 17 syllables in three lines: 5, 7 and 5.
What is a good Flesch Reading Ease score?
60 to 70 is plain English that most adults read easily. Higher is easier; below 30 is very hard.
Does it work for song lyrics?
Yes. Each line shows its syllable count, which helps you match lines to a melody.
