Syllable Counter
Count syllables in words, sentences, paragraphs, and poems.
How to use the syllable counter
- Type or paste a word, sentence, paragraph or poem into the box.
- Press Count syllables.
- Read the total, then check the count for each word. Words matched in our dictionary are marked; other words show a labelled estimate.
How counts are made
Each word is checked against a dictionary. Matches show a dictionary count. Other words get a rule-based estimate, clearly labelled.
Syllable counts for common words
Frequently asked questions
How do you count syllables in a word?
Count the vowel sounds you hear when you say the word, not the vowel letters. Each vowel sound is one syllable, so cake has one syllable and table has two (ta-ble). Saying the word slowly or clapping along helps.
How many syllables are in a sentence?
Add up the syllables in every word. Paste the sentence into the counter above and it shows the total plus the count for each word.
Is fire one syllable or two?
Dictionaries usually list fire as one syllable, but many people say it with two (fi-er). Words like fire, hour and our change with accent, which is why our dictionary pages note common variations.
How many syllables are in a haiku?
A traditional English haiku has 17 syllables over three lines: 5 in the first line, 7 in the second and 5 in the third. Paste each line on its own line to check it.
How accurate is this syllable counter?
Every word is first checked against our syllable dictionary. If a word is not in it, the counter uses rule-based estimation and labels that word as an estimate, so you always know which counts are confirmed.
Is the syllable counter free?
Yes. It is free to use with no sign-up.