Syllable Counter
Count syllables in any word, sentence, or paragraph — with a full word-by-word breakdown and pronunciation alternatives, not just a single number.
Reviewed for accuracy · Last updated August 4, 2026
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Type or paste text to see syllable counts.
How syllable counting works here
Every word is checked first against a pronunciation dictionary derived from the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary, which covers roughly 126,000 English words and records how each one is actually pronounced — not just how it's spelled. When a word isn't in the dictionary (a rare proper noun, a coinage, a brand name), the tool falls back to a rule-based estimate that accounts for silent letters, common endings like -ed and -le, and hyphenation.
Every result carries a confidence label, so you can tell at a glance whether a count came from a dictionary lookup or an estimate — and correct any word manually if it doesn't match how you're using it.
Why syllable counts vary
English spelling doesn't map cleanly onto pronunciation, so the same word can legitimately have more than one syllable count depending on how it's said. "Every" is often three syllables in careful speech (EV-er-y) but two in fast, casual speech (EV-ry). Neither is wrong — they're different pronunciations of the same word, which is why this tool shows alternatives instead of silently picking one.
For a deeper look at how this applies specifically to haiku, see Does a Haiku Have to Be 5-7-5?
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same engine used by the Haiku Checker?
Yes. Both tools use the same hybrid syllable engine — a large pronunciation dictionary first, then a rule-based estimate for words it doesn't recognize.
Can I count syllables in a whole paragraph?
Yes. Paste any amount of text and switch between counting by line or by sentence, depending on which grouping is more useful for what you're writing.
Why does a word show two possible syllable counts?
Some words have more than one accepted pronunciation — "fire" can be one or two syllables, for example. The counter shows both and lets you pick.
Does this tool store what I type?
No. Text is analyzed to produce a result and isn't saved or published.
Related resources
Haiku Checker
Apply the same syllable engine to a full 5-7-5 or modern haiku, with literary analysis.
Haiku Generator
Generate a starting draft, then check its syllable count here or with the full checker.
Syllable Dictionary
Look up individual words that are frequently mis-counted.
Accuracy & Methodology
How the syllable engine works, and its known limitations.