Text Tools
Word Counter
See words, characters, sentences and paragraphs tally up as you type — useful for answer-writing practice, essays, reports and anything bound by a word limit.
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Word limits for UPSC & Indian competitive exams
Nearly every written competitive exam in India caps how long an answer can be. Exceeding the cap wins you nothing, while falling far short leaves marks on the table. Use this table as a handy guide:
| Exam / Section | Marks | Word limit |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC GS (short) | 10 marks | 150 words |
| UPSC GS (long) | 15 marks | 250 words |
| UPSC Essay Paper | 250 marks | 1000–1200 words |
| SSC Descriptive | Varies | 200–400 words |
| RBI Grade B Essay | 30 marks | 400–500 words |
Rehearse your UPSC, SSC or bank exam answers in the counter above until landing on these targets becomes second nature.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I count words online for free?
Type or paste into the box above and the totals refresh live — there is no button to click and no sign-up.
What is a word counter useful for?
Aspirants lean on it to keep UPSC, SSC and bank answers within limit; writers use it for essays, articles and posts; and it comes in handy for character caps on forms and applications too.
What is the difference between characters with and without spaces?
"Characters" totals everything, spaces and punctuation included, whereas "Chars (no spaces)" leaves the blanks out. Platforms set their limits differently, and many count the spaces.
How is reading time calculated?
It assumes 200 words a minute — about an average adult's pace — so a 1000-word essay reads in roughly 5 minutes.
Is the word counter private?
Yes — every count runs inside your browser, with nothing sent to a server or stored anywhere.
What are the UPSC answer word limits?
For UPSC GS, allow about 150 words for a 10-mark question and 250 for a 15-mark one, with the essay paper near 1000–1200 words. Working inside these caps is a core exam skill.