Filler Word Counter: Count Um, Uh, Like and You Know
A filler word counter finds the words and sounds you use to fill silence, such as um, uh, like, you know, I mean, basically and so at the start of a sentence, and reports how many you used per 100 words. Paste a transcript from Zoom, Teams, Otter or any transcription app and this tool counts 16 common fillers, highlights each one in your text and names your top three. As rules of thumb, under 1 filler per 100 words sounds polished, 1 to 3 is normal for unscripted speech, 3 to 5 is noticeable, and over 5 starts to distract from your message. Ambiguous words are handled with simple rules, so "I like it" and "what kind of car" are not counted. Your transcript never leaves your browser. For the most accurate count, use a verbatim transcript that keeps every um and uh.
Paste a transcript of something you said: a Zoom, Teams or Otter transcript, or a voice note run through any transcription app. Use a verbatim transcript if you can; some services tidy “um” and “uh” out by default.
How the counter decides what is a filler
Each filler is a pattern, and the ambiguous ones are checked against the word before or after. Where two patterns overlap, such as “okay so” and “so”, the longer one wins, so nothing is counted twice. Words are counted the way a reader would, with “don't” as one word.
| Filler | When it is counted |
|---|---|
| um, uh, er, erm, ah | Hesitation sounds. Always counted. |
| like | Counted except after words that make it a verb or comparison: I, you, we, they, would, 'd, do, don't, to, feel, look, sound, seem, just, exactly, more, something. |
| you know | Counted when it stands alone; skipped in questions such as "do you know" or before an object, as in "you know what I mean" or "you know the answer". |
| I mean | Counted as a discourse marker; skipped in "what I mean", "I mean it" and "I mean to". |
| sort of, kind of | Counted as hedges; skipped after "what", "this", "the", "a" and other words that make them mean "type of". |
| basically, actually, literally | Always counted. Sometimes they carry meaning; usually in speech they do not. |
| so | Only at the start of a sentence, and not in "so that" or "so much". |
| right? | Only as a question tag, with the question mark. |
| okay so | Counted as one filler phrase, typically used to restart. |
How to read your filler rate
| Band | Fillers per 100 words | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Polished | Under 1 per 100 words | Typical of rehearsed or scripted delivery. Listeners will not notice fillers. |
| Natural | 1-3 per 100 words | Normal for unscripted speech. Most listeners filter these out. |
| Noticeable | 3-5 per 100 words | Listeners start to hear them, especially in a presentation or interview answer. |
| Distracting | Over 5 per 100 words | Fillers are competing with your message. Practise pausing silently instead. |
These bands are rules of thumb, not research standards. A rate per 100 words is fairer than a raw count because it does not punish longer answers. To bring your rate down, see eliminating filler words: a complete guide.
Your words stay on your device
Paste mode is plain JavaScript in your browser. The transcript is never uploaded, saved or logged, and no audio is involved. Live mode is different: it uses the browser's speech recognition, which in Chrome is processed by Google's speech service, so it is not on-device. EchoPitch receives neither the audio nor the text in either mode.
Filler word FAQ
How many filler words per minute is normal?
It depends on how fast you talk, which is why this counter reports fillers per 100 words instead. As a rule of thumb, 1 to 3 per 100 words is normal for unscripted speech, and at a typical 130 to 150 words per minute that is roughly two to four a minute. Under 1 per 100 words sounds polished; over 5 per 100 words, around seven a minute or more, most listeners notice. Formal presentations and interviews deserve a lower target than casual conversation.
Can I use a Zoom, Teams or Otter transcript?
Yes. Copy the transcript text and paste it in; timestamps and speaker names do not break the count, though they add a little to the word total, so delete them if you want an exact rate. Check whether your transcription service removes hesitation sounds. Some services tidy up um and uh by default for readability, which would make your count look better than it is. If there is a verbatim or clean-verbatim setting, choose verbatim.
Why does live mode miss um and uh?
Browser speech recognition, the Web Speech API in Chrome, Edge and Safari, is designed to produce readable text, so it is trained to leave out hesitation sounds. In practice it often drops um and uh completely while still catching word-based fillers like like, you know and basically. Live mode is useful for spotting those, but for a true count of um and uh, record yourself and paste a verbatim transcript instead.
Is "like" always a filler word?
No. "I like this plan", "would like to" and "looks like rain" use like as a verb or a comparison, and the counter skips those using the word before it. It counts the filler and quotative uses, as in "it was, like, huge" or "and he was like, no". The rule catches the common cases rather than every case, so glance at the highlighted text: if a highlighted like is clearly meaningful, mentally subtract it.
How do I stop saying um and uh?
Replace the sound with silence. Fillers usually appear when you are deciding what to say next and do not want to give up the floor; a short pause does the same job and sounds more confident. Practise by answering a question out loud, recording it, and counting. Slow down a little, finish each sentence with a clear full stop, and know your first line and transitions well. Our guide to eliminating filler words covers drills that work.
Related free tools and reading
Count fillers without transcribing anything yourself
Record a practice session and EchoPitch transcribes it, then scores filler words alongside pace, pauses, vocal variety, facial expression signals and clarity: 5 sessions for $12.99, paid once, no subscription. Or score a 60-second pitch free first.