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Syllable Counter
by Line

Paste any poem, lyrics, or text and instantly see syllable count for every single line — with a target validator and word-by-word breakdown.

Per-line syllable count — instantly
Set a target — highlights matching, over & under lines
100% private — text stays in your browser
📜 Sonnets 🌸 Haiku 🎤 Lyrics 🎵 Songs 📖 Ballads ✍️ Any poem
Syllable Counter by Line

Count syllables per line

Target syllables per line (optional — 0 = off)

Results update as you type. Empty lines are counted as 0 syllables.

Paste text to begin
Each line gets its own syllable count — instantly.
Use cases

Who uses line-by-line counting?

Any writer who cares about rhythm — poets, lyricists, rappers, teachers.

Poets & Sonnet writers

Set target to 10 and instantly spot any line that breaks iambic pentameter. No more counting on fingers — every line flagged in real time.

Rap & Lyrics writers

Check syllable flow bar by bar. See which lines feel heavy and which feel light — then swap words to even out the rhythm before recording.

Haiku & Tanka poets

Set target to 5, 7, or 5 per line and validate each. Or use our dedicated Haiku tool for automatic 5-7-5 checking with one paste.

Teachers & Students

Analyze syllable patterns in classic poems. Paste a Shakespeare sonnet and see every line's count side by side — perfect for classroom work.

Song & Jingle writers

Match syllable counts between verses and choruses for consistent rhythm. Set a target for your chorus line length and check all verses match.

Ballad & Villanelle poets

Ballads alternate 8 and 6 syllable lines. Set target to 8 and see at a glance which lines follow the pattern and which need reworking.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about syllable counting by line.

Paste your poem into the text box — each line is counted separately and shown in the results panel instantly. No button needed; results update as you type.
Enter a target number (e.g. 10 for iambic pentameter, 8 for ballad meter). Lines that match are highlighted gold, lines over the target turn red, and lines under turn blue — so you can spot problems at a glance.
Yes, this tool counts syllables per line for any poem including haiku. For automatic 5-7-5 validation with per-line targets, use our dedicated Haiku Syllable Counter which checks each line against the exact haiku target automatically.
Absolutely. Paste your lyrics — each bar or line gets its own syllable count. Set a target for your verse length and instantly see which bars are too heavy or too light.
Very accurate for standard English — vowel-group heuristics with rules for silent 'e', '-le' endings, and common exceptions. For unusual or archaic words, the count may vary by one syllable.
No. Everything runs locally in your browser. Your text never leaves your device — completely private, no server, no logging.
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Validate the 5-7-5 haiku structure. Per-line counts with instant validation.
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Iambic Pentameter Checker
Check if your lines follow da-DUM × 5 pattern. Single line or full sonnet.
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Count every line.
Perfect every poem.

Free syllable counter by line — no sign-up, instant results.

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