Free tool · runs in your browser
Free Syllable Counter for Lyrics and Poems
Type or paste your lyrics, poem or haiku to count the syllables in every line as you write. Words people say two ways, like fire and every, show both counts.
Syllables
0
Words
0
Lines
0
An AI singer or rapper sings your words over music it writes: two versions, from $4.99
How the counter works
Each word is counted by its vowel sounds, using the spelling rules of the open-source syllable package by Titus Wormer: groups of vowels, a silent final e, endings like -ed and -es that add a syllable only after certain sounds. For the common words those rules get wrong, it uses the count from the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary, the free pronunciation dictionary from Carnegie Mellon University.
We checked it against that dictionary: it matches on 99% of the 10,000 most common English words, and on about 94% of the next 10,000, which it hasn't seen.
Syllables in song lyrics
- Lines that are sung to the same melody, like the verses of one song, sit better when their syllable counts are close. Use the counts to spot the line that's two or three syllables longer than its neighbours.
- Faster beats fit fewer syllables per line, unless it's a rap. A relaxed sung line is often 6 to 10 syllables; a rap bar at 90 BPM can carry 10 to 16. See each genre's usual tempo →
- Words with a range give you room: "fire" can take one beat or two. If a line runs long, those are the words to squeeze.
- Write numbers as words ("twenty-one") so they're counted, and sung, the way you mean them.
Hear your lyrics sung
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is it?
It follows the spelling rules of the open-source syllable package and a list of exceptions taken from the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. On the 10,000 most common English words it matches the dictionary 99% of the time; on less common words, about 94%. Names, slang and made-up words are guesses, so check those by clapping them out.
Why do some words show a range, like fire 1–2?
Some words are said both ways: fire, hour, every, family, different. The CMU dictionary lists both, so the counter shows both and gives the line a range. In a song you choose, and the melody decides.
Does it count [Chorus] and other tags?
No. Lines that are only a section tag, like [Verse] or [Chorus], are shown as headings and not counted, so you can paste lyrics as you'd give them to a singer or an AI song generator.
Can I count a haiku?
Yes. Type three lines and it checks the 5-7-5 pattern under the totals.
Does it work for other languages?
It's made for English. Words in other languages are counted with English spelling rules, which is often wrong.
Is my text saved or sent anywhere?
No. Counting happens in your browser. Only if you press "Sing these lyrics" are the words put into the song generator below, and they're sent only when you make the song.