Text / Poetry
Syllable Counter for Poems, Haiku, and Lyrics
Count the syllables in English text line by line, with the count shown under every word, for checking a haiku's 5-7-5, the metre of a poem, or how a lyric fits a tune.
Syllable Counter for Poems, Haiku, and Lyrics: Syllables are estimated from spelling: each group of vowels is a syllable, a silent final e, es, or ed is dropped, and a list of common exceptions such as every, people, and poetry is checked first. The total, the number of words, and the average syllables per word are shown alongside each line's count. Runs 100% locally in your browser with zero server file uploads.
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- 5An1old1silent2pond1
- 7A1frog1jumps1into2the1pond1
- 5Splash1Silence2again2
Syllables are estimated from spelling: each group of vowels counts once, a silent final e is dropped, and a list of common exceptions is checked. English spelling is irregular, so check unusual words, names, and words whose pronunciation varies. A haiku in English traditionally has lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables.
Example
"An old silent pond" has 5 syllables (an 1, old 1, si-lent 2, pond 1), "A frog jumps into the pond" has 7, and "Splash! Silence again" has 5: Bashō's haiku in a common translation.
Syllables and readability
Readability scores such as Flesch reading ease use the average number of syllables per word: the more long words, the harder the text. The readability checker works those scores out for a whole text.
How to use it
- Type or paste the text, one verse line per line.
- Read the syllable count for each line and each word.
- Adjust words until the lines scan.
Privacy & limitations
The text stays in your browser.
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Frequently asked questions
How accurate is it?
Right for most everyday words, but English spelling is irregular, and some words, such as fire or poem, are said differently by different speakers. Check names and unusual words yourself.
What is the 5-7-5 rule?
A haiku in English is traditionally three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables, imitating the Japanese form, which counts sound units called on.
Does it work for other languages?
No: the rules are for English spelling only.
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