# Count the number of words in a string

Count runs of non-whitespace characters.

Canonical: https://1loc.dev/string/count-the-number-of-words-in-a-string/
Version: 1.0.0
Runtime: JavaScript · Node.js 22 / modern browsers
Verification: Local fixtures; no external services
Updated: 2026-10-28

## Implementation

```javascript
function countWords(text) { return (text.match(/\S+/g) || []).length; }
```

## Input

```json
"Small code, working integrations."
```

## Expected output

```json
4
```

## Edge case

Input:
```json
"   "
```
Output:
```json
0
```

## Limits

- The original split on whitespace and returned 1 for a blank string; this version returns 0.
- Punctuation attached to a word is part of it.

The lab validates types and size before calling this function. Add equivalent validation at your own trust boundary.

## Source and license

Original: https://github.com/phuocng/1loc/blob/14b481cf60dff1620ab1bb99a43b1f68068cdd9b/contents/count-the-number-of-words-in-a-string.mdx
Source file (this edition): https://github.com/akamind/1loc/blob/0a77f131b22d2ba3b7ec1728846f900c22821678/contents/count-the-number-of-words-in-a-string.mdx
Author: Nguyen Huu Phuoc and original contributors
Contributors: See original repository history
Source commit: 14b481cf60dff1620ab1bb99a43b1f68068cdd9b
Copyright (c) 2020 phuoc-ng
License: MIT — https://1loc.dev/licenses/
Maintainer: Oveyon
Modifications: Counts non-whitespace runs; the original returned 1 for a blank string. Original MDX retained as inert source evidence.