Haiku Checker

A Free 5-7-5 Syllable Counter for Haiku

Our Haiku Checker is a free online tool that helps you craft perfect haiku. Simply enter your three-line poem into the textbox below, and the tool will instantly count the syllables in each line. This ensures your haiku follows the classic 5-7-5 structure (17 total syllables). With real-time feedback, you can focus on creativity while the checker handles the counting. Below we explain what haiku are, how to use the checker, and expert tips for writing great haiku.

What is a Haiku?

Frog on a lily pad in a pond – haiku often use simple nature imagery. Haiku is a traditional Japanese poetic form of three short lines. In English, a haiku normally has 5 syllables in the first line, 7 in the second, and 5 in the third. These 17 syllables are used to capture a single vivid image or moment. Haiku typically focus on nature or a brief insight, using clear, sensory language. For example, Bashō’s famous “old pond” haiku uses only the image of a frog and water to convey a contemplative moment.

The 5-7-5 Syllable Structure

A traditional haiku has exactly 17 syllables divided into a 5-7-5 pattern. This strict structure gives haiku its unique rhythm and brevity. (In original Japanese, haiku count 17 mora or sound units, but in English we simply count spoken syllables.) Using 5-7-5 means each line is concise: 5 syllables, then 7, then 5. If any line has the wrong count, the poem doesn’t meet the classic definition. Our Haiku Checker enforces this rule automatically, so you always know when each line correctly has 5 or 7 syllables.

Why Use a Haiku Syllable Counter

Counting syllables by hand can be tricky and time-consuming. In English, syllable and sound rules are full of exceptions (for example, the word haiku is two syllables in English “hi-ku” but is traditionally counted as three sounds in Japanese). As one source explains, English and Japanese “count syllables very differently”, so it’s easy to miscount. Our checker automates this process: it uses a smart algorithm to estimate syllables as you type, flagging any line that goes over. This way, you avoid simple errors and can focus on writing. It’s especially useful for beginners: you learn the form by seeing which words fit the 5-7-5 pattern and which need editing. In short, a syllable counter saves time and ensures accuracy, making haiku writing easier and more enjoyable.

Haiku Writing Tips

To write a great haiku, clarity and imagery are key. Keep these tips in mind:

• Use Vivid, Concrete Images: Choose specific natural details or sensory moments (e.g. a falling leaf, morning dew). Haiku “should be clear and direct, with strong images”.
• Keep Language Simple: Haiku rely on everyday words. Avoid complex or flowery language. Every word counts in only 17 syllables.
• Write in the Present Tense: Haiku often capture a present moment. Using present tense makes the scene feel immediate and alive.
• Create a Natural Break: Try to split your haiku into two connected parts (often between the second and third lines). A subtle twist or contrast between the parts can deepen the meaning. This is the effect of the traditional cutting word (kireji) in Japanese, which naturally pauses or pivots the poem.
• (Optional) Include a Seasonal Word: Traditional haiku frequently include a kigo (season word) like snow, frog, or cherry to hint at the time of year. This grounds the haiku in nature. (Modern haiku in English may omit this, but it can add authenticity.)
• Revise Thoughtfully: Don’t be afraid to rewrite. Try several versions to find the best words and rhythm. Great haiku often come from trimming away any excess until the image shines.

By focusing on clear imagery and honing each line, you’ll write haiku that follow the form and capture a moment beautifully.

Common Haiku Mistakes to Avoid

• Adding Too Many Words: A common error is exceeding the syllable limit. If your lines have extra words, the checker will show a higher count. Remove any unnecessary syllables until each line reads 5-7-5.
• Forcing Rhyme or Complexity: Haiku do not require rhyme or fancy language. Trying to force a rhyme or using too many adjectives can make the haiku awkward. Instead, let the natural rhythm and imagery stand out.
• Stating Emotions Directly: Haiku should show rather than tell. Avoid lines like “I am sad.” Instead, describe the scene causing the emotion (e.g. “gray clouds drift over fields” to suggest melancholy). In other words, don’t write about how you feel; write about what caused that feeling.
• Ignoring Nature or Season: Traditional haiku are rooted in the natural world. Skipping any hint of nature or season can make a haiku feel flat. (If you find yourself writing about a human or modern scene, you may actually be writing a senryu rather than a classic haiku.)
• No Pause or Contrast: A haiku often has an implied pause or shift between lines. If your poem reads like one continuous sentence, look for a place to create a natural break or contrast, even if it’s just a subtle change in subject or image.

The Haiku Checker helps catch the most frequent errors (like syllable count mistakes) so you can concentrate on refining the content of your poem.

Related Forms: Senryu, Tanka, and More

Haiku has a few close relatives. A senryu is a three-line poem with the same 5-7-5 structure, but it typically focuses on human nature or humor instead of the natural world. (Our checker works for senryu too, since it simply counts syllables.) A tanka is a five-line Japanese poem (5-7-5-7-7 syllable pattern) that is often more personal or emotional. Haiku and tanka both come from ancient Japanese waka forms. There are other variations too (for example, a haibun pairs a haiku with short prose), but those are beyond our checker’s scope. Knowing these forms can inspire your writing: for instance, you might expand a haiku into a tanka by adding two lines, or play with humor by writing a senryu.