Syllable Counter
Paste your lines and see a syllable count beside each one, plus totals for syllables, lines and words. Counts update as you type. Free, no sign-up.
Free·No sign-up·Per-line counts·Runs in browser
Count your syllables
See it in action
How this syllable counter works
Paste or type text with one line per row. The counter reads each line, estimates the syllables in every word and prints the line total in a column next to your text. Three tiles above the list show total syllables, number of lines and number of words.
Everything happens in your browser as you type, so there is no button to press and nothing is sent to a server. Rows that hold only a label in square brackets, such as [Chorus] or [Verse 1], are skipped, so a full song sheet can go in as it is. Copy total puts the overall number on your clipboard.
The count is an estimate from spelling, not a lookup in a phonetic dictionary. It handles silent final e, vowel pairs and "-le" endings, and it copes well with everyday words. Odd spellings, names and borrowed words can be off by one.
Why use this syllable counter
A number for every line
Many counters give one total for the whole text. Poets, students and songwriters need the per-line figure, because a haiku is judged line by line and rhythm problems live in the line that runs two syllables long.
Live as you edit
Change a word and the count for that line changes at once. You can trim a line from fourteen syllables to twelve and watch it happen without leaving the text box.
Private by design
Your text is counted on your own device and never uploaded. Unreleased lyrics, a school assignment or a wedding speech stay on your screen.
How to use the syllable counter
- 01
Paste your text
Put one line of the poem, song or verse on each row. Blank rows and bracketed section labels are left out of the count.
- 02
Read the column
Each line appears on the right with its syllable count in front. Compare the numbers with the form you are writing, or with the neighbouring lines if the form is free.
- 03
Edit and recount
Fix the long or short line in the box on the left. The numbers refresh as you type. When the totals look right, read the lines aloud as a final check.
How many syllables fit in a line
There is no single rule, but there are useful ranges. A haiku runs 5, 7 and 5. A line of iambic pentameter has 10. Ballads and many hymns alternate lines of 8 and 6. A rap bar at a mid tempo around 90 BPM often carries 10 to 14 syllables, and fast flows can double that.
What matters more than the number is consistency. Two lines that rhyme feel balanced when their counts are close, and a deliberate short line stands out because the lines around it are even. Use the per-line column to spot the outlier, then decide whether it is a mistake or a choice.
- Haiku: 5, 7, 5
- Iambic pentameter: 10 per line
- Ballad and common hymn metre: 8 then 6
- Limerick: about 8, 8, 5, 5, 8
- Mid-tempo rap bar: roughly 10 to 14
How to count syllables by hand
Say the word slowly with a hand under your chin. Each time your jaw drops is one syllable. Clapping once per beat of the word works too, and it is a method many teachers use with young readers.
On paper, count the vowel sounds, not the vowel letters. "Queue" has four vowel letters and one sound. A final silent e adds nothing, and two vowels side by side usually make a single sound. When your hand count and this tool disagree, trust your voice.
Syllable count examples
Haiku check (5-7-5)
5 Rain on the window 7 Counting all the silver drops 5 Morning comes too soon
Even couplet (11 and 11)
11 I keep my head down and I work through the night 11 Nobody saw it but the timing was right
Uneven pair to fix (5 and 12)
5 Money on my mind 12 I been thinking about the way we used to grind The second line needs trimming, or the first needs more words.
Words that trip up spelling rules
rhythm: spoken with 2, but only one written vowel caramel: 2 or 3, depending on the speaker poem: 2, though the vowels sit side by side When a count surprises you, say the word aloud.
Syllable counter FAQ
Is the syllable counter free?
Yes. It is free and needs no account or credits. Because the counting runs in your browser, it keeps working on a slow connection once the page has loaded.
How accurate is the syllable count?
It is an estimate based on spelling rules. Most common words come out right; unusual spellings, names and words borrowed from other languages can be off by one. For anything that will be graded or published, read the line aloud to confirm.
Is my text stored anywhere?
No. The text stays in the box on your device and is counted there. It is not uploaded, saved or shown to anyone, and it disappears when you close or reload the page.
Can I use it for haiku and poetry homework?
Yes. Put each line on its own row and compare the counts with the form you are writing, such as 5-7-5 for a haiku. Check any surprising number by saying the word aloud, since the counter estimates from spelling.
Does it count syllables in languages other than English?
The rules are written for English spelling. Text in other languages will produce numbers, but they will not be reliable, so use it for English lines only.
How do I count the syllables in a single word?
Type the word on a row of its own. The number beside that row is the syllable count of the word, and the Syllables tile shows the same figure when it is the only row.
Related reading
- Syllable Counter for Songs: How to Use the NumbersHow to use a syllable counter for songs: even out verses, keep hooks short and fix lines that rush, with target ranges and a worked example.
How to Write Rap Lyrics Without a BeatHow to write rap lyrics without a beat: tap a steady four-count, size each bar by syllables, mark the stresses and test the verse when a beat arrives.
Related tools
Rhyme Finder
Type a word and get its perfect rhymes in about a second, sorted by how many syllables each one has. Free, no account, English only.
Rhyme Scheme Analyzer
Paste a verse or poem and see its rhyme scheme as letters, one per line, with a syllable count beside each. Results update as you type. Free, no sign-up.
Slant Rhyme Generator
Type a word and get its slant rhymes in about a second: words with the same vowel sound and a different ending, grouped by syllable count. Free, no sign-up.
Bars in a Verse
You will know the standard lengths for a verse, hook, intro and bridge, be able to count bars on any beat, and choose the right verse length for a song.
Last updated November 12, 2026