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Comma Counter

Count the commas in your text, sentence by sentence. The comma counter shows the total number of commas, commas per sentence, the sentences with the most commas and the sentences without any, and highlights every comma, so you can find comma-heavy sentences worth splitting.

  • Commas per sentence
  • Skips 1,000-style numbers
  • Highlights every comma
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Commas in your text

Every comma is highlighted. Commas inside numbers and semicolons are marked in their own colours.

  • Comma
  • Comma in a number
  • Semicolon or colon

Your text appears here with the matches highlighted.

Sentences with the most commas

Sentences that use commas, busiest first. A sentence with many commas is often easier to read as two.

Sentences with commas appear here.

How to count commas

Counting the commas in a text takes three steps.

  1. Paste your text

    An essay, a cover letter, a story or a report. The count updates as you type.

  2. Choose what counts

    Commas inside numbers, like 12,500, are left out by default. Arabic (،), Chinese (，) and Japanese (、) commas are counted unless you turn them off.

  3. Find the busy sentences

    Sentences are listed by how many commas they have, and every comma is highlighted in your text.

Example

The sample has 10 commas in 4 sentences. The second sentence has 6 of them, and the comma in “12,500” isn’t counted.

Count commas in a sample

When to use a comma

Most comma rules come down to a handful of patterns. These follow Purdue OWL’s extended rules for commas.

RuleExample
Before and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet joining two full sentencesIt was late, but the shop was still open.
After an introductory word, phrase or clauseHowever, nobody complained. / When it ended, we left.
Around extra information that could be removedThe team, which had worked late, went home.
Between three or more items in a listapples, pears, plums and grapes
Between adjectives that each describe the nouna long, tiring day
In dates, addresses, titles and numbersParis, France / 12,500
Before or after a direct quotationShe said, “We’re done.”

Whether to put a comma before the last “and” in a list (the Oxford or serial comma) is a style choice. Pick one and use it consistently.

How many commas is too many?

There’s no fixed limit on commas per sentence. A list can carry many commas and still be easy to read. The question to ask is whether each comma does a job: separating items, marking an introduction or setting off extra information.

The comma counter flags sentences with five or more commas for you to review. Common fixes:

  • Split the sentence where it changes subject or adds a second idea.
  • Turn a long list into bullet points.
  • Move extra information into its own sentence, or into brackets.

Joining two complete sentences with only a comma is a comma splice. The Run-on Sentence Checker finds those.

Commas in numbers and other languages

Not every comma is punctuation between words.

CommaUsed forCounted?
1,000 or 12,500Thousands separator in EnglishOnly if you tick “Count commas in numbers”
3,5Decimal comma in much of EuropeOnly if you tick “Count commas in numbers”
،Arabic comma (Arabic, Persian, Urdu)Yes, unless you untick other-script commas
，Fullwidth comma (Chinese)Yes, unless you untick other-script commas
、Ideographic comma (Japanese and Chinese lists)Yes, unless you untick other-script commas

What the comma counter shows

Besides the total, the comma counter puts your commas in context.

  • ,

    Commas per sentence

    The average, plus how many sentences have no comma at all.

  • 5+

    Comma-heavy sentences

    Every sentence with commas, busiest first, with its word count.

  • ;:

    Semicolons and colons

    Counted separately, because they’re often used instead of commas.

  • ▮

    Highlights

    Every comma marked in your text; commas in numbers in grey.

Comma counter FAQ

How do I count the commas in my text?

Paste your text into the box. The total appears straight away, with commas per sentence and every comma highlighted below.

Does the comma counter count commas in numbers?

Not by default. Commas between digits, like 1,000, are shown in grey and left out. Tick “Count commas in numbers” to include them.

How many commas should a sentence have?

There’s no set number. A sentence with five or more commas is worth a second look, but a list can have many commas and still read well.

What is a comma splice?

Two complete sentences joined only by a comma, like “It rained, we stayed in.” Fix it with a full stop, a semicolon or a joining word such as “so”.

What is the Oxford comma?

The comma before “and” or “or” at the end of a list: “red, white, and blue”. Some style guides use it and others don’t.

Does it count Arabic and Chinese commas?

Yes. ، ， and 、 are counted by default. Untick the option to count only the standard comma.

Is my text uploaded?

No. The commas are counted in your browser and nothing leaves your device.

Sources and references

  1. Extended rules for using commas, Purdue OWL
  2. Fragments and run-ons, UNC Writing Center

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