Home / ChatGPT and Claude token counter extensions compared
ChatGPT and Claude token counter extensions compared
Several free tools show token counts for ChatGPT and Claude. They solve slightly different problems, so here is a plain comparison of what each one does, written from their public listings. Details change, so check each listing before installing.
| Tool | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| ContextMeter | Percent of the context window used on ChatGPT and Claude, plan detection, whole-chat scan for long chats, message map, draft preview, one-click handoff to a fresh chat. Free, no network requests. | Knowing when to start a new chat and carrying the work over |
| ChatGPT Token Counter (Chrome Web Store) | Shows the token count of the active conversation in a box on chatgpt.com. Its listing says the number is approximate. | A simple running count on ChatGPT only |
| Claude Counter (open source, GitHub) | Token count, cache timer and usage bars on claude.ai. MIT-licensed, local. | Claude users who want usage bars and open source |
| AI Token Counter (Chrome Web Store) | Context window token counter that describes support for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok and Copilot. | People who switch between many assistants |
| Web token counters | Paste text and get a token count. Some use a real tokenizer for GPT models and estimate Claude. | Sizing a single prompt or document |
What to look for
- Whole conversation, not just the draft. Counting only what you are typing does not tell you how full the chat is.
- Long-chat handling. ChatGPT and Claude load old messages in pieces and unload them as you scroll, so a counter that only reads what is on screen under-counts long chats.
- Honest labels. Claude has no public in-browser tokenizer, so any Claude count is an estimate. Be wary of tools that show a precise-looking number without saying so.
- Privacy. Check the permissions and whether chat text leaves your browser.
- What you can do about it. A meter is more useful if it helps you act, for example by handing the chat off to a fresh one.
Where ContextMeter fits
ContextMeter focuses on the moment you decide whether to keep going or start fresh. It handles lazy-loaded long chats by scanning them quietly when you allow it, and remembers the result. It is independent and not affiliated with OpenAI or Anthropic. If you only need to size a block of text, the free token counter on this site needs no install.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best token counter extension for ChatGPT?
It depends on what you need. Some extensions show a running token count on chatgpt.com, some cover several assistants, and some only count text you paste. ContextMeter is built for the whole conversation: percent of the context window used, plan detection, whole-chat scan on long chats and a one-click handoff to a fresh chat.
Is there a free extension that shows Claude's context window usage?
Yes. Several free extensions show token counts on claude.ai, including the open-source Claude Counter on GitHub and ContextMeter. Counts are estimates because Anthropic does not publish an in-browser tokenizer.
Do these extensions send my chats anywhere?
It varies, so read each listing's privacy section and permissions. ContextMeter makes no network requests, stores no message text and has no accounts or analytics.
Last reviewed 2026-10-08. Numbers change often; see the sources linked on this page.
ContextMeter is a free, private browser extension that shows how full your ChatGPT or Claude chat is while you use it, and helps you carry the chat into a fresh one. See how it works.