Free tool
Abstract word count checker
How are words counted in a conference abstract?
WebMobi’s abstract form counts the pieces of text separated by spaces, so a hyphenated term such as “state-of-the-art” is one word and “p < 0.05” is three; the title, authors and keywords are separate fields and are not counted. Other systems may count differently, so check the call’s guidelines. The checker below uses the same rule as the form.
Paste your abstract, set the limit from the call, and see the count as you edit. The checker also flags a title over 300 characters and more than 10 keywords, the limits WebMobi’s form applies.
Check your abstract
0 / 300 characters
0 / 10 keywords
0 words — 300 left
0 characters · 0 without spaces
Runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or saved.
How words are counted here
A word is any run of characters between spaces or line breaks. Hyphenated terms count once; symbols with spaces around them count separately. Some examples, counted by the checker itself:
| Text | Words |
|---|---|
| state-of-the-art | 1 |
| p < 0.05 | 3 |
| COVID-19 | 1 |
| Smith et al. | 3 |
| 10 mg/kg | 2 |
| (n = 42) | 3 |
Structured abstracts, headings and other fields
If your call asks for headings such as Background, Methods, Results and Conclusions, each heading counts as a word here, as it does in WebMobi’s form. The title and keywords are separate fields and are not counted; the checker still applies the form’s other limits:
- A title of up to 300 characters.
- Up to 10 keywords, each up to 50 characters.
Getting under the limit without losing the result
- Cut background first. Reviewers know the field; one sentence of context is usually enough.
- Report the result in numbers, not adjectives.
- Define an abbreviation once, then use it.
- Remove phrases that announce content — “In this study we aimed to” — and state it.
- Leave references out of the abstract unless the call asks for them.
Your text stays on your computer
The checker runs in your browser. Nothing you paste is sent, saved or logged, so unpublished work is safe to check here.
The same count as WebMobi’s form
WebMobi’s abstract submission form counts words with exactly this rule, shows the count while authors type, and checks it again before a submission is stored. If you are running a call, see abstract submission software; if you are writing one, the submission form template lists every field and limit.
Frequently asked questions
Does the title count toward the word limit?
Not in WebMobi’s form, where the title is a separate field. Other systems differ, so follow the call’s guidelines.
Are numbers counted as words?
Yes, when they stand apart. “42 patients” is two words; “p < 0.05” is three.
Is my abstract stored anywhere?
No. The checker runs entirely in your browser and sends nothing.
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