A counter that knows you have a limit
A generic word counter tells you “847.” An assignment says “1,000 words ±10%.” The useful number is how many you still owe, or how many you must cut. Pick a short, college, long, or research preset — or type the number from the rubric — and the bar tracks the gap as you paste drafts.
The intro / body / close split is a sanity check, not a grade. A 1,200-word essay with a 40-word introduction is usually under-framed; a 400-word conclusion is usually repeating the body. Use it to see shape, then edit in your own document.
Typical academic bands
Short responses land near 400–600 words. Undergraduate essays often sit at 1,000–1,500. A research paper can run 2,500+. None of those replace your syllabus — they are starting points when the prompt is vague.
Frequently asked questions
Also useful: Word Counter · Flesch Reading Ease · Paragraph Counter