Online Tool Store
Haiku Checker
Check your haiku against 5-7-5 or 3-5-3 with syllable counts for each word and line. Correct estimates by hand and copy your poem analysis report.
🔒 This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server.
Click any word to change its syllable count — the total updates with it. The counter gets about nine words in ten right, and words like fire, howl and flower genuinely differ between speakers, so your ear beats the rule.
Counted in this page; nothing is uploaded or saved. Worth knowing that 5–7–5 is an English convention rather than a rule Japanese haiku follows — of four well-known translations we checked, only one lands on 5–7–5.
How to use the Haiku Checker
- Paste your English poem with one verse line per text line.
- Choose 5-7-5, 3-5-3 or Free form and review the word and line counts.
- Click a word to correct its count; editing the poem clears your corrections.
- Use Copy report to copy the pattern, counts and poem text.
Why the count is editable
The checker estimates syllables from English spelling rules and a small exception list. Amber word hints identify estimates to review; manual corrections let you match the count to your reading.
A matching syllable pattern only checks the selected counts. It does not assess imagery, meaning or overall poem quality.
FAQ
How do I check whether my haiku is 5-7-5?
Paste three lines and select 5-7-5. The checker compares each line with its target and shows the estimated syllables for every word. Blank lines are ignored.
Can I correct an incorrect syllable count?
Yes. Click a word to cycle its count from one to five syllables. Line totals and the report update immediately. Editing the poem clears manual corrections.
Can I check 3-5-3 poems or count without a target?
Yes. Choose 3-5-3 for the shorter three-line target or Free form to see counts without checking a fixed pattern.
Are the English syllable estimates always accurate?
No. The checker uses spelling rules and a small exception list, rather than a full pronunciation dictionary. Review ambiguous words and adjust their counts to match how you read them.
Can I save the haiku analysis?
Use Copy report to copy the selected pattern, line counts and poem text. The widget does not save your poem or corrections between visits.
How we compare
| Feature | Online Tool Store | Other syllable counters | Manual checking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-line and per-word counts | ✓ | Varies | Manual |
| Editable word corrections | ✓ | Varies | ✓ |
| Ambiguous-word hints | ✓ | Varies | By ear |
| 5-7-5, 3-5-3, and free-form modes | ✓ | Varies | Manual |
| Copyable analysis report | ✓ | Varies | Manual |
Use the checker for fast arithmetic and revision guidance, then trust the way the poem sounds when an estimate and your ear disagree.