What is a paragraph counter?
A paragraph counter is a tool that counts the paragraphs in a piece of text. It treats each block separated by an empty line as one paragraph. This one also counts sentences and words and works out the average words per paragraph, so you can spot a block that runs too long.
How long should a paragraph be?
It depends on where people read it. Essays often use paragraphs of 100 to 200 words, while web pages, emails and social posts work better with 1 to 3 sentences per paragraph. Shorter blocks are easier to scan on a phone. Whatever the length, keep one idea per paragraph.
| Where | Typical length | Sentences |
|---|---|---|
| Essay or report | 100 to 200 words | 3 to 6 sentences |
| Blog post or article | 40 to 100 words | 2 to 4 sentences |
| Under 60 words | 1 to 3 sentences | |
| LinkedIn or X post | 1 or 2 lines | 1 or 2 sentences |
These are common ranges from writing guides, not fixed rules. The best check is to read your text on the screen people will use.
When should I start a new paragraph?
Start a new paragraph when the idea changes: a new point, a new example, a change in time or place, or a different speaker. If a paragraph is much longer than the ones around it, it usually holds two ideas. Split it where the second one starts.
How do paragraphs work in social posts?
On LinkedIn and X, most posts use one or two sentences per paragraph, with an empty line between them. It makes a post easy to scan on a phone and gives the first line room to stand out. You can add bold text and lists with the free LinkedIn text formatter, or let Postel draft posts in your voice and schedule them.