You've finished your essay and the brief says 2,000 words. You check — 2,347. Now what? Do you cut? Is the tolerance 10%? And even if the word count is fine, will your marker actually be able to follow your argument? Word count and readability are two of the most overlooked submission checks, and both are easy to fix if you catch them in time.

Our free word counter gives you word count, character count, reading time and a Flesch Reading Ease score — all instantly, without signing up.

Why Word Count Matters for Assignments

Word limits exist for a reason: they force you to be concise, prioritise your strongest arguments, and demonstrate that you can communicate efficiently. Going significantly over or under the limit signals to your marker that you either can't edit your own work or haven't engaged deeply enough with the topic.

Most universities apply a 10% tolerance — a 2,000-word essay can typically range from 1,800 to 2,200 words without penalty. However, some institutions penalise every word over the limit. Always check your unit guide.

Common Word Count Requirements by Assignment Type

Assignment Type	Typical Word Count	Includes
Short reflection	500 – 800	Usually excludes references
Standard essay	1,500 – 2,500	Body text only (check unit guide)
Research report	3,000 – 5,000	Often excludes tables and appendices
Dissertation chapter	8,000 – 12,000	Varies by institution

What Is the Flesch Reading Ease Score?

The Flesch Reading Ease score measures how easy your writing is to read, based on sentence length and syllable count. The scale runs from 0 to 100:

Score	Readability Level	Typical Use
90 – 100	Very easy	Primary school level
60 – 70	Standard	General audience writing
30 – 50	Difficult	Academic writing (target range)
0 – 30	Very difficult	Legal or highly technical writing

For academic assignments, aim for a Flesch score between 30 and 50. Below 30 often means your sentences are too long and complex — even for an academic audience. Above 60 may suggest your writing lacks the sophistication expected at university level.

How to Improve Readability

Readability isn't about dumbing down your writing — it's about making complex ideas accessible. Here are practical techniques:

Shorten your sentences. If a sentence runs past 25 words, consider splitting it. Long sentences force the reader to hold too much information in working memory.
Use simpler words where possible. "Use" instead of "utilise", "show" instead of "demonstrate", "because" instead of "due to the fact that". The sophisticated idea should be in the argument, not buried in the vocabulary.
One idea per paragraph. Each paragraph should make one point, support it, and move on. If you find yourself making two distinct arguments in one paragraph, split it.
Read aloud. If you run out of breath mid-sentence, it's too long. If you stumble over a phrase, your marker will too.
Cut filler phrases. "It is important to note that" adds six words and zero meaning. "In order to" is just "to". "The fact that" is almost always deletable.

Check Your Word Count and Readability

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Word count and readability are just the starting point. To check whether your assignment actually addresses every rubric criterion, sign up for Rubrica and get detailed, rubric-based feedback before you submit.