The quick rule

Count the vowel sounds you hear — not the vowel letters you see. Each vowel sound is one syllable. Clap as you say the word: cat (1 clap), ta·ble (2 claps), but·ter·fly (3 claps).

Helpful patterns

• A group of vowels together usually makes one sound: team, boat, rain are each one syllable.
• A silent e on the end does not add a syllable: make, hope, time are each one syllable.
• A word ending in a consonant plus -le adds a syllable: ta·ble, lit·tle, ap·ple.
• Every word has at least one syllable.

Why it matters

Breaking long words into syllables makes them easier to read and spell — you tackle one chunk at a time. Syllables also create the rhythm in poems and songs, which is why poets count them carefully.

Try it

Type any word or passage into our Syllable Counter to see the count and a breakdown for each word.