Consonant Counter

Count the consonants in a word or text. The consonant counter gives a count for every consonant from B to Z, finds consonant clusters like “str” and “ngths”, counts double letters, and highlights every consonant it counted. Y can count as a consonant, a vowel or depend on its sound.

All 21 consonants
Finds clusters
Highlights every consonant

Your text 0 words · 0 characters

Count y as a consonant Count accented letters (ç, ñ, ß)

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Consonants in your text

Every consonant counted is highlighted; clusters of three or more are marked in a stronger colour.

Consonant
Cluster of 3+

Your text appears here with the matches highlighted.

Count of each consonant

All 21 consonants with how often each appears, most used first.

Your consonant counts appear here.

Consonant clusters

Groups of three or more consonants in a row inside a word, like “str” in strong. Two-letter spellings like th and sh are common, so they aren’t listed.

No clusters of three or more consonants yet.

How to count consonants

Counting consonants with the consonant counter takes three steps.

Type or paste your text

A word, a spelling list or a full text. The count updates as you type.
Choose how to treat y

By default y always counts as a consonant. Choose “When it sounds like one” to count it in yes and beyond but not in gym.
Read the results

A count for every consonant, clusters of three or more with an example word, double letters, and every consonant highlighted in your text.

Example

“Strengths” has 9 letters and 8 consonants, with only one vowel. Its longest cluster is “ngths”, five consonants in a row.

Count consonants in a sample

The 21 consonant letters

The English alphabet has 21 consonant letters: B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y and Z. Everything that isn’t a vowel (A, E, I, O, U) is a consonant, with Y in both camps: it’s a consonant in yes and a vowel in gym.

Spoken English has more consonant sounds than letters: the Victorian Department of Education’s guide lists 24 consonant sounds, including sounds written with two letters, such as sh, ch, th and ng. The consonant counter counts letters, so sh counts as two consonants.

Consonant clusters and digraphs

Consonants often come in groups. The counter lists every group of three or more consonants inside a word.

Type	What it is	Examples
Digraph	Two letters, one sound	sh (ship), ch (chat), th (thin), ph (phone), ng (sing)
Blend	Two or three consonants, each heard	bl (blue), st (stop), str (street), spl (splash)
Cluster of 3+	Three or more consonant letters in a row	str (strong), tchstr (latchstring), ngths (strengths)
Double letter	The same consonant twice	ll (ball), ss (miss), tt (letter)

Words with the most consonants in a row

Some English words pile up consonants in a way few languages allow.

Word	Consonants	Longest run
latchstring	9 of 11 letters	tchstr (6)
catchphrase	8 of 11 letters	tchphr (6)
strengths	8 of 9 letters	ngths (5)
twelfths	7 of 8 letters	lfths (5)
rhythm	6 of 6 letters (y as a consonant)	rhythm (6)

Counts use the default setting, where y is a consonant. With y as a vowel, “rhythm” has 5 consonants.

What the consonant counter shows

Along with the total, the consonant counter breaks your consonants down.

B–Z
Every consonant

A count for all 21 consonants, including the ones you didn’t use.
str
Clusters

Groups of three or more consonants, with how often they appear and an example word.
ll
Double letters

The same consonant twice in a row, as in “ball” or “letter”.
▮
Highlights

Every consonant marked in your text; clusters in a stronger colour.

Consonant counter FAQ

How many consonants are in the English alphabet?

21: every letter except A, E, I, O and U. Y is counted among them, though it can also act as a vowel.

Is y a consonant?

It can be either. Y is a consonant at the start of a word or syllable, as in “yes” and “beyond”, and a vowel in words like “gym” and “happy”.

Does “th” count as one consonant or two?

Two. The counter counts letters, so a digraph like th, sh or ch is two consonants even though it makes one sound.

What is a consonant cluster?

A group of consonants in a row with no vowel between them, such as “str” in “street”. The counter lists clusters of three or more.

Which word has the most consonants in a row?

Among common English words, “latchstring” and “catchphrase” both have six in a row: tchstr and tchphr.

Are accented letters like ç and ñ counted?

Yes, by default, as c and n. Untick “Count accented letters” to leave them out.

Is my text uploaded?

No. The consonants are counted in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere.

Sources and references

The 44 sounds of Australian English, Victoria State Government, Department of Education