The invention is a novel method and apparatus for counting pipe joints, passing through a bell nipple, going downhole and uphole by sensing, at spaced apart positions along the nipple utilizing magnetic fields, for the presence of a joint. Each sensor develops signals as the joint passes it and a logical network determines which direction the pipe joint is traveling, adds a plus count to the joint counter for joints going downhole and subtracts a minus count from the joint counter when a joint is sensed coming uphole. Another logical circuit converts the joint count to a stand count, and the negative signals from the stand count trigger an adder network to introduce a binary number to a numeric read-out display, which number is indicative of pipe displacement per stand, withdrawn from hole.
