Count the syllables in any word, line or poem. Each line gets its own count, which makes haiku and song lyrics easy to check.
| Line | Syllables | Words |
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A syllable is a single beat of sound in a word. “Cat” has one, “water” has two and “beautiful” has three. Counting them matters for poetry forms like the haiku, for songwriting, where lines need to fit the melody, and for readability tests. This counter goes line by line so you can see where a verse runs long or short.
How do you count syllables in a word?
Count the vowel sounds you hear, not the vowel letters. A quick check is to put your hand under your chin and say the word: each time your jaw drops is one syllable. Silent letters, like the final e in “make”, don’t count. Type your text above and the counter does this for every line.
Rules of thumb
Each vowel sound is one syllable. “Rain” has two vowel letters but one sound, so one syllable.
A silent e at the end usually doesn’t count. “Time” has one syllable. Words ending in a consonant plus “le”, such as “table”, are an exception and keep the extra beat.
“-ed” endings add a syllable only after t or d. “Wanted” has two, “jumped” has one.
Haiku and the 5-7-5 pattern
A traditional English haiku has three lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables. Type each line on its own row and the counter shows your pattern, telling you when you’ve hit 5-7-5 exactly.
Accuracy
English spelling is irregular, so automatic syllable counting is an estimate. This tool uses common pronunciation rules plus a list of tricky words, and is accurate for most everyday text. For unusual names and words, say them aloud to double-check.
How to use the Syllable Counter
Type or paste your text
Put each line of a poem or lyric on its own row.
Read the total
The total syllable count appears in large text, with the pattern of each line underneath.
Check each line
The table shows the syllables and words in every line, so you can see exactly which one needs editing.
Frequently asked questions
How many syllables are in a haiku?
A traditional English haiku has 17 syllables in three lines of 5, 7 and 5.
How many syllables does "every" have?
It’s usually spoken with two or three syllables (ev-ry or ev-er-y). Dictionaries list three.
Is this syllable counter 100% accurate?
No automatic counter is perfect, because English spelling doesn’t always match how words sound. It’s accurate for most common words.
Can I count syllables in song lyrics?
Yes. Paste each line on its own row to compare line lengths with your melody.
Do numbers count?
Numbers written as digits are skipped. Write them as words, such as “twenty”, to include them.
Sources and further reading
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Last reviewed: October 2026