Tap a word to change its count if you say it another way. A small /2 means the word can also be said with 2 syllables.
The word list loads when you start typing. Until then, spelling rules count the words.
About the Syllable Counter
This free syllable counter counts the syllables in every word, in every line, and in the whole text. Type or paste a poem, a song or a speech, and the numbers change as you type.
It is made for poets and songwriters. Pick a pattern — haiku (5-7-5), tanka, limerick or sonnet — and each line turns green when it fits and red when it does not. You can also type your own pattern.
Your text stays in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Features
- Every word and every line — a small number next to each word, the line total on the right
- Pattern check — haiku 5-7-5, tanka 5-7-5-7-7, limerick, sonnet (10 per line) or your own numbers
- A pronouncing dictionary — the free CMU Pronouncing Dictionary (125,000 words) for the hard words
- Two ways to say it — words like *every* (3 or 2) show both counts, and a line shows its range
- Fix a word — tap a word to change its count when you say it another way
- Totals — syllables, words, lines and syllables per word
- Copy the counts — every line with its number, ready to paste
How the counting works
A syllable is one beat of sound in a word: *wa-ter* has 2, *beau-ti-ful* has 3. Spelling alone often gets this wrong — *fire* and *hire* end in a silent e, but *poem* has 2 beats and *loved* has only 1.
So the counter works in three steps:
- Your own fixes come first. Tap a word, then press − or +. The tool remembers it on this device.
- The dictionary comes next. The CMU Pronouncing Dictionary lists how 125,000 English words are said. The tool loads the part it needs the first time you type (about 100 KB).
- English spelling rules count everything else: vowel groups, a silent final e, *-ed* and *-es* endings, *-le* at the end, and vowel pairs like *io* in *radio*.
The rules alone get about 9 in 10 dictionary words right, and the dictionary covers the rest. Names, new words and slang are an estimate — check them, and fix them with a tap if needed.
Poem patterns you can check
| Pattern | Lines | Syllables per line |
|---|---|---|
| Haiku | 3 | 5 – 7 – 5 |
| Tanka | 5 | 5 – 7 – 5 – 7 – 7 |
| Limerick | 5 | about 8 – 8 – 5 – 5 – 8 |
| Sonnet | 14 | 10 in every line (iambic pentameter) |
| Cinquain | 5 | 2 – 4 – 6 – 8 – 2 (type it as your own pattern) |
A blank line starts a new verse, and the pattern starts again from its first line. So you can check several haiku at once.
Limericks are loose: real ones often have 7 to 10 syllables in the long lines. Treat the check as a guide.
Words with two counts
Many words are said in two ways. The dictionary knows both, and the tool shows the second count after a slash. The line total uses the first count; a small range shows what the line could be.
| Word | Syllables |
|---|---|
| every | 3 or 2 |
| family | 3 or 2 |
| different | 3 or 2 |
| camera | 3 or 2 |
| favorite | 3 or 2 |
| probably | 3 or 2 |
| interesting | 3 or 4 |
| actually | 4 or 3 |
| fire | 2 or 1 |
| hour | 2 or 1 |
| our | 2 or 1 |
| chocolate | 2 |
| poem | 2 |
| business | 2 |
| quiet | 2 |
| idea | 3 |
| vegetable | 3 |
| comfortable | 4 |
For a haiku, a line passes when the pattern number is anywhere in that range. *"Every morning"* counts as 5, but you may say it with 4 — the tool shows 5 (4–5).
Frequently asked questions
How many syllables are in a haiku?
A classic English haiku has 17 syllables in three lines: 5, then 7, then 5. Choose *Haiku (5-7-5)* and each line shows a check mark when it fits. Many modern poets write shorter haiku; the pattern is a guide, not a law.
Is the count always right?
For common words it is very good, because they come from a pronouncing dictionary. Names, rare words and slang are counted with spelling rules, so they can be off by one. Accents matter too: people in different places say *fire*, *hour* or *every* with a different number of beats. Tap any word to set your own count.
How do I count syllables by hand?
Say the word slowly and put your hand under your chin. Each time your chin drops, that is one syllable. Or clap the beats: *el-e-phant* is 3 claps.
Does it count numbers?
No. Write numbers as words (*twenty-one*), because *21* has no letters to count. Words in other alphabets are shown in grey and not counted.
Can I use it for song lyrics?
Yes. Paste the lyrics, and compare the lines of a verse with the same lines of the next verse. Choose *My own pattern* and type the numbers of the first verse, for example *7,7,7,7*.
Is my text saved?
The text and the pattern are kept in your own browser, so they are still there next time. Nothing is sent to a server.
Related tools
- Word Counter — words, characters and reading time
- Character Counter — count letters for posts and titles
- Speech Time Calculator — how long your text takes to say
- Text to Speech — hear your poem read aloud
- Title Case Converter — capitalize a poem or song title
How to use it
- Type or paste your poem, song or text in the box — or press an example
- Choose a pattern if you want a check: haiku, tanka, limerick, sonnet or your own numbers
- Read the number after each word and the total at the end of each line
- Green lines fit the pattern, red lines do not
- Tap a word to change its count if you say it another way
- Press Copy the counts to take the lines and their numbers with you
