Distraction-Free Writer
A quiet, fullscreen page for getting words down. Turn on focus mode to dim everything except the sentence you are writing, keep the cursor centered with typewriter scrolling, set a word goal and let autosave keep your draft in this browser.
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Shortcuts: Ctrl+Shift+F fullscreen · Ctrl+S save now · Esc leave fullscreen. Your draft stays in this browser only.
How to use the Distraction-Free Writer
- Start typing in the page. Your draft is saved automatically in this browser as you write.
- Pick a theme, font and size from the toolbar until the page feels comfortable to read.
- Turn on Focus (sentence or paragraph) and Typewriter scrolling if you like to see only what you are writing.
- Set a word goal to see a progress bar, then press Fullscreen (or Ctrl+Shift+F) to hide everything else.
- Download your text as .txt or .md, or copy it to paste into your document or email.
Why write without distractions?
Drafting and editing use different kinds of attention. When the screen is full of toolbars, notifications and fonts to choose, it is tempting to polish each sentence before the next one exists. A distraction-free editor removes those choices so the only thing left to do is add words. Many writers draft here, then paste the text into a word processor or CMS for formatting and editing.
- Focus mode fades the rest of the document so you are not rereading earlier paragraphs. Use Sentence for line-by-line drafting and Paragraph when you want a little more context.
- Typewriter scrolling keeps the active line in the middle of the screen. Your eyes stay at the same height instead of drifting to the bottom edge of the window.
- A word goal turns a vague plan ("work on the essay") into a finish line ("write 500 words"). The session counter shows only the words you added since opening the page.
Word count targets for common kinds of writing
Use these typical ranges to choose a sensible word goal. Publishers, teachers and websites often set their own limits, so check any brief you have been given.
| Writing | Typical length | Reading time at 238 wpm |
|---|---|---|
| Daily journal or morning pages | 500–750 words | 2–3 min |
| Blog post | 800–2,000 words | 3–8 min |
| College application essay | 250–650 words | 1–3 min |
| Flash fiction | up to 1,000 words | about 4 min |
| Short story | 1,000–7,500 words | 4–32 min |
| Novelette | 7,500–17,500 words | 32–74 min |
| Novella | 17,500–40,000 words | 1.2–2.8 hours |
| Novel (50,000-word month challenge) | 50,000 words ≈ 1,667 a day for 30 days | about 3.5 hours |
Reading time = words ÷ 238, the average silent reading speed for adult non-fiction reported in a large 2019 review of reading studies. Fiction is often read a little faster.
Tips for a productive writing session
- Set a timer as well as a goal. Short sprints of 15–25 minutes work well; pair this page with a Pomodoro timer.
- Do not delete during a draft. If a sentence is wrong, start a new one below it. Fix it in the editing pass.
- Leave notes in brackets such as [check date] or [better word], then search for "[" when you edit.
- Keep a backup. Autosave lives in this browser only. Download a .txt or .md copy at the end of each session, especially on a shared or work computer.
- Use Markdown if you publish online: # for headings, *italic*, **bold** and - for lists survive the trip into most blogging tools.
Frequently asked questions
What is a distraction-free writer?
It is a minimal text editor that hides menus, formatting buttons and other windows so that only your words are on screen. Writers use this kind of tool for first drafts, journaling, NaNoWriMo-style word sprints and essays, because fewer visual choices make it easier to keep typing instead of editing.
Where is my text saved?
Your draft, title and settings are saved in your browser's local storage on this device, a few seconds after you stop typing. Nothing is sent to a server. Clearing browser data or using a private window removes the saved draft, so download a .txt or .md copy of anything important.
What do focus mode and typewriter scrolling do?
Focus mode fades out all text except the sentence or paragraph that contains your cursor, which helps you concentrate on the current thought. Typewriter scrolling keeps the line you are typing near the vertical middle of the screen, like paper moving through a typewriter, so your eyes stay in one place.
How are words and reading time counted?
Words are runs of letters or numbers separated by spaces or punctuation, so contractions like don't count as one word. Reading time assumes an average silent reading speed of about 238 words per minute, which is a commonly cited average for adult readers of non-fiction.
Can I write in Markdown?
Yes. The editor stores plain text, so you can type Markdown such as # headings, **bold** and - lists, and download it as a .md file. The editor does not render the formatting, which keeps the writing view calm; use a Markdown editor or converter when you want to preview it.
Does it work offline and on a phone?
Once the page has loaded it keeps working without a connection, because everything runs in your browser. On phones and tablets the editor fills the screen and works with the on-screen keyboard; fullscreen support depends on the browser.
How do I exit fullscreen?
Press Esc, press Ctrl+Shift+F again, or move the mouse to the top of the screen and click Exit fullscreen in the toolbar. On touch screens, tap the toolbar area at the top to show it again.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.