Chinese word counter
Count Chinese characters and words, and see which words match your HSK level.
Your text never leaves your browser.
Counts
- Chinese characters
- 0
- Chinese words
- 0
- Different words
- 0
- Punctuation marks
- 0
- Other words and numbers
- 0
- Characters, without spaces
- 0
HSK level of the words
Loading the HSK word list…
How do you count words in Chinese?
Chinese is written without spaces, so a word count can mean two things. Characters (字, zì) are the single symbols you see on the page. Words (词, cí) are units of meaning, and many of them use two characters or more.
For example, 我喜欢学习汉语 has 7 characters but only 4 words: 我 (I), 喜欢 (to like), 学习 (to study) and 汉语 (Chinese). This counter shows both numbers.
Characters or words: which count do you need?
Chinese essays, translations and forms usually give their limits in characters, often called 字数 (zìshù). Check whether punctuation is included: the counter shows Chinese characters and punctuation marks separately, plus the total without spaces.
Word counts are more useful for learners, because a word is what you look up, learn and review.
How the HSK analysis works
Your browser splits the text into words with its built-in Chinese dictionary. Each word is then matched against the HSK 3.0 vocabulary for levels 1 to 6, the same list used in the Tuni Chinese app.
Words outside that list are marked “beyond HSK 6”. They are often names, places, advanced words or rare expressions. Automatic word splitting is very good but not perfect, so treat the result as a guide rather than an exam score.
Choose texts that match your level
Reading feels comfortable when you already know almost every word on the page, around 95% or more. Pick your HSK level to see that percentage, then use the list of harder words as your vocabulary list before you read.
Keep learning
Frequently asked questions
How do you count words in Chinese?
Chinese has no spaces, so text is counted in characters (字) or in words (词). A word can have one character, like 我 (I), or several, like 喜欢 (to like). This tool counts both: characters directly, and words with your browser's Chinese word segmentation.
Does a Chinese character count include punctuation?
It depends on who sets the limit. Many Chinese word processors count punctuation marks in the total. This counter shows Chinese characters and punctuation marks separately, so you can use whichever number you need.
How do I know the HSK level of a Chinese text?
Paste the text and choose your HSK level. The counter shows how many words come from each HSK level and what percentage of the words you should already know. If it is below about 95%, the text will probably feel difficult.
Is my text saved or sent anywhere?
No. The counting happens in your browser. Your text is not uploaded or stored.
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