Filler word counter
Paste a transcript and see how often you say “um”, “uh”, “like” and the rest of your crutch words — highlighted in the text, with your rate per minute. Works in 12 languages; nothing is uploaded.
Your top fillers
Transcript with fillers highlighted
Why count your filler words?
Fillers are invisible to the person saying them and glaring to everyone else. Speakers who simply count their “um”s cut them dramatically within a few sessions — awareness does most of the work. For podcasters and video editors the count doubles as an edit map: the highlights show exactly where to cut, and if your transcript has timestamps, each filler is a jump-cut waiting to happen.
Don’t have a transcript yet? Upload your recording to Speecho — it transcribes 99 languages with timestamps and speaker labels, pay-as-you-go, no subscription. Then paste the text here, check your rate, and see how it compares between takes. Planning the next script instead? The speaking time calculator tells you how long it runs before you hit record.
Filler words — FAQ
What counts as a filler word?
Two things: hesitation sounds (um, uh, er, hmm) and crutch words — words that pad speech without adding meaning, such as “like”, “you know”, “basically”, “actually” and “sort of”. Every language has its own set: Russian leans on “ну” and “как бы”, German on “äh” and “halt”, Spanish on “este” and “o sea”. This counter knows the common sets for 12 languages, and you can add your own personal crutch words on top.
How many filler words per minute is normal?
In relaxed conversation, 2–5 fillers per minute is completely normal — real speech has them. For a rehearsed talk, podcast or video, aim for under 2 per minute; professional narrators land near zero. As a share of words, 1–3 fillers per 100 words is typical unscripted speech, and under 1 sounds polished. Enter your audio length above to see your per-minute rate.
Why does it flag words like “like” or “actually” that I used normally?
A counter matches words, not intent — “I like coffee” and “it was, like, weird” both contain “like”. That’s why the tool highlights every match in your transcript: skim the highlights and judge which ones are genuine fillers. The count is a starting point for editing, not a verdict.
How do I reduce filler words?
Awareness is most of the battle: people who count their fillers cut them fast. Replace the filler with a short pause — silence sounds more confident than “um”. Record yourself, read the transcript, and practise the transitions where fillers cluster (usually between thoughts). For podcasts, many editors simply cut the “um”s using the transcript as a map.
How do I get a transcript of my recording?
Upload your audio or video to Speecho — it transcribes 99 languages with timestamps and speaker labels, pay-as-you-go from $0.83 per hour, no subscription. Paste the transcript back here to count your fillers, then use the timestamps to find and cut them in your edit.