Word Count & Usage Tracking
TalkWriter tracks how many words you dictate each week. This matters especially for Free plan users, who have a weekly limit of 2,000 words. Pro and Enterprise users have unlimited words.
Plan Word Limits
| Plan | Weekly Word Limit | What Happens at Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 2,000 words | Dictation pauses until weekly reset |
| Pro ($9.99/mo) | ⚡ Unlimited | No limit, dictate freely |
| Enterprise ($29/mo) | ⚡ Unlimited | No limit, dictate freely |
How the Usage Meter Works
Where to Find It
Your current word count is displayed in the TalkWriter sidebar. It shows:
- Words used this week — How many words you have dictated since the last reset.
- Words remaining — How many words you have left (Free plan only).
- Reset date — When your counter resets to zero.
Weekly Reset Schedule
Your word count resets to zero every Monday at 12:00 AM in your local time zone. This means:
| Day | Words Used | Words Remaining (Free) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday (after reset) | 0 | 2,000 |
| Wednesday (mid-week) | 800 | 1,200 |
| Friday (heavy use) | 1,900 | 100 |
| Saturday (limit reached) | 2,000 | 0 — dictation paused |
| Monday (new week) | 0 | 2,000 (reset) |
What Counts as a Word
| Counts Toward Limit | Does Not Count |
|---|---|
| ✅ Every word in your polished output | ❌ Text you type manually |
| ✅ Words from AI Polish cleanup | ❌ Snippets inserted (pre-saved text) |
| ✅ Words dictated into any app | ❌ Words deleted after dictation |
| ✅ Words dictated into the Scratchpad | ❌ Editing existing text |
The word count is based on the polished output that TalkWriter produces, not the raw number of words you spoke. If AI Polish condenses your speech, the count reflects the shorter output.
What Happens When You Hit the Limit
If you are on the Free plan and reach 2,000 words:
- Dictation pauses. Pressing Fn will show a message that your weekly limit has been reached.
- Other features still work. You can still use the Scratchpad (for typing), manage your Dictionary, edit Snippets, and change Settings.
- Counter resets Monday. You get a fresh 2,000 words at the start of each week.
- Or upgrade to Pro. Upgrading immediately removes the limit and you can continue dictating right away.
Tips for Free Plan Users
| Tip | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Dictate only final-form text | Avoid wasting words on throwaway dictations |
| Use the Scratchpad for drafts | Type rough drafts, then dictate the polished version |
| Plan your heavy dictation days | If you have a big writing session, do it early in the week |
| Monitor your usage mid-week | Check the sidebar to see how many words remain |
| Consider Pro if you hit the limit often | At $9.99/month, Pro removes the limit entirely |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy extra words without upgrading to Pro? No. The only way to get unlimited words is by upgrading to Pro ($9.99/month) or Enterprise ($29/month).
Does my word count carry over if I do not use all 2,000 words? No. Unused words do not roll over. The counter resets to 2,000 every Monday regardless of how much you used.
Do words count if I cancel a dictation (press Esc)? No. Cancelled dictations that do not produce output do not count toward your limit.
Where can I see my historical usage? The sidebar shows your current week's usage. Historical data is not currently displayed in the app.
Was this helpful? Let us know at support@talkwriter.ai