Free tool · UK universities
UCAS personal statement counter
Paste your three answers to see each count, the 350-character minimum and how much of the 4,000 you have left.
0 / 4,000 characters
Counts every letter, space and line break, as UCAS does. Your text stays in this browser. For how to fill each answer, read the UCAS personal statement guide.
Rules from UCAS’s 2026 guidance (checked 7 October 2026). UCAS’s own form is the final word on the count.
What to put in each answer
The counter tells you if it fits. Whether it works is a different question. The UCAS personal statement guide shows a weak and a strong answer to each question, a sensible way to split your characters, and what international applicants should add. Writing in English as a second language? The essay checker marks clear grammar and word errors in formal writing.
Questions
What is the UCAS personal statement character limit?
4,000 characters in total across the three answers, including spaces and line breaks, with at least 350 characters in each answer. You choose how to split the rest.
Does UCAS count spaces and line breaks?
Yes. Every space and every line break counts as a character. Word processors often leave line breaks out of their character count, which is why a statement that fits in Word can be too long in UCAS.
How many words is 4,000 characters?
Roughly 550 to 650 words, depending on how long your words are. Characters are what UCAS limits, so count those.
Is my statement saved or sent anywhere?
No. The counting happens in your browser, and your drafts are saved only on this device so they are still there if you come back.