How do I count syllables in a word or sentence?

Paste the word or sentence into English text. Every word shows a count and its source. Speak the word slowly and clap once for each vowel sound you actually pronounce; letters and syllables are different, so a final silent e does not automatically add a syllable. Open Review pronunciations and correct counts if the listed pronunciation differs from yours.

How accurate is this syllable counter?

Dictionary matches use syllable counts derived from a pinned CMUdict pronunciation snapshot. The dictionary reflects North American English and is not every possible word or accent. Words outside it use a labeled vowel-group estimate or remain unknown. Estimates are not dictionary matches, and a count can vary with pronunciation.

Can I correct a known word or choose a pronunciation?

Yes. Open Review pronunciations and correct counts. Enter a positive whole count for any word, including a dictionary match or an estimate. If the dictionary lists different syllable totals, use the pronunciation selector. Corrections apply to every occurrence of that word on this page. Reset restores its built-in count.

How do I check a haiku’s 5-7-5 pattern?

Choose Haiku 5-7-5 and paste three nonblank lines. The checker compares their current counts with 5, 7 and 5 and flags missing lines or unknown words. Review estimates and your pronunciation before relying on a match. This is the familiar English practice form; not all English haiku follow it, and Japanese haiku count morae rather than English syllables.

Can I count syllables in a poem, sonnet, limerick or rap?

Yes, if you want English word and line totals. Each line also shows the syllable counts of its words. This tool does not identify stressed and unstressed syllables, scan meter, validate a sonnet or limerick, divide a word into syllable spellings or time a performance.

Does this work in Spanish, French, Japanese or other languages?

The dictionary and fallback estimate are for English. They are not validated syllabifiers for other languages. Japanese morae, Korean syllable blocks and Tagalog pronunciation need different methods; this page does not claim to count them accurately.

Can I download counts or use a long draft?

Download CSV for line text, totals, word-count patterns and unknown words, or TXT for line totals with the original text. Counting and exports include the entire paste, even when the on-screen preview is shortened. There is no fixed input-size ceiling; browser memory and processing time are the practical limits. Text and corrections stay in this browser and are not saved by this tool.

Syllable Counter

Paste an English word, sentence or poem to count syllables beside each word and total each line. The pinned CMU pronunciation dictionary covers 125,105 word forms; other words remain labeled estimates or unknown. Review alternative counts, correct any pronunciation, or switch to the English haiku 5-7-5 check. CSV and TXT downloads include the complete text.

English text

Counts reflect the pronunciations below.

Lines2

Words8

Syllables14

Unknown0

The pinned CMUdict snapshot supplies pronunciation counts for 125,105 English word forms. Other words are estimates or unknown. You can correct any word or select a listed alternative; corrections last for this page. Counts reflect North American pronunciations, which may differ from yours. CMUdict source license.

Review pronunciations and correct counts

Word / source	Syllables	Pronunciation
The lexicon		Count as you pronounce it
yellow lexicon		Count as you pronounce it
flower lexicon		Count as you pronounce it
opens lexicon		Count as you pronounce it
A lexicon		Count as you pronounce it
beautiful lexicon		Count as you pronounce it
day lexicon		Count as you pronounce it
begins lexicon		Count as you pronounce it

The yellow flower opens 7

The1 · lexiconyellow2 · lexiconflower2 · lexiconopens2 · lexicon

Word syllables: 1-2-2-2

A beautiful day begins 7

A1 · lexiconbeautiful3 · lexiconday1 · lexiconbegins2 · lexicon

Word syllables: 1-3-1-2

Common questions

How do I count syllables in a word or sentence?: Paste the word or sentence into English text. Every word shows a count and its source. Speak the word slowly and clap once for each vowel sound you actually pronounce; letters and syllables are different, so a final silent e does not automatically add a syllable. Open Review pronunciations and correct counts if the listed pronunciation differs from yours.
How accurate is this syllable counter?: Dictionary matches use syllable counts derived from a pinned CMUdict pronunciation snapshot. The dictionary reflects North American English and is not every possible word or accent. Words outside it use a labeled vowel-group estimate or remain unknown. Estimates are not dictionary matches, and a count can vary with pronunciation.
Can I correct a known word or choose a pronunciation?: Yes. Open Review pronunciations and correct counts. Enter a positive whole count for any word, including a dictionary match or an estimate. If the dictionary lists different syllable totals, use the pronunciation selector. Corrections apply to every occurrence of that word on this page. Reset restores its built-in count.
How do I check a haiku’s 5-7-5 pattern?: Choose Haiku 5-7-5 and paste three nonblank lines. The checker compares their current counts with 5, 7 and 5 and flags missing lines or unknown words. Review estimates and your pronunciation before relying on a match. This is the familiar English practice form; not all English haiku follow it, and Japanese haiku count morae rather than English syllables.
Can I count syllables in a poem, sonnet, limerick or rap?: Yes, if you want English word and line totals. Each line also shows the syllable counts of its words. This tool does not identify stressed and unstressed syllables, scan meter, validate a sonnet or limerick, divide a word into syllable spellings or time a performance.
Does this work in Spanish, French, Japanese or other languages?: The dictionary and fallback estimate are for English. They are not validated syllabifiers for other languages. Japanese morae, Korean syllable blocks and Tagalog pronunciation need different methods; this page does not claim to count them accurately.
Can I download counts or use a long draft?: Download CSV for line text, totals, word-count patterns and unknown words, or TXT for line totals with the original text. Counting and exports include the entire paste, even when the on-screen preview is shortened. There is no fixed input-size ceiling; browser memory and processing time are the practical limits. Text and corrections stay in this browser and are not saved by this tool.

Counts come from a pinned CMUdict snapshot of North American English pronunciations. Out-of-dictionary words are labeled estimates or unknown. Listed alternatives and your manual corrections can change totals; this is not a stress or Japanese-mora analyzer.