diff --git a/core/api.txt b/core/api.txt
index 453aa7a4e9..ce9578268f 100644
--- a/core/api.txt
+++ b/core/api.txt
@@ -555,7 +555,7 @@ ion-input,css-prop,--placeholder-opacity
 ion-item,shadow
 ion-item,prop,button,boolean,false,false,false
 ion-item,prop,color,string | undefined,undefined,false,true
-ion-item,prop,counter,boolean,true,false,false
+ion-item,prop,counter,boolean,false,false,false
 ion-item,prop,detail,boolean | undefined,undefined,false,false
 ion-item,prop,detailIcon,string,'chevron-forward',false,false
 ion-item,prop,disabled,boolean,false,false,false
diff --git a/core/src/components/item/item.tsx b/core/src/components/item/item.tsx
index b59262ed44..caa3fa7df4 100644
--- a/core/src/components/item/item.tsx
+++ b/core/src/components/item/item.tsx
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ export class Item implements ComponentInterface, AnchorInterface, ButtonInterfac
   /**
    * If `true`, a character counter will display the ratio of characters used and the total character limit. Only applies when the `maxlength` property is set on the inner `ion-input` or `ion-textarea`.
    */
-  @Prop() counter = true;
+  @Prop() counter = false;
 
   /**
    * When using a router, it specifies the transition animation when navigating to
diff --git a/core/src/components/item/readme.md b/core/src/components/item/readme.md
index 358321eb9a..40ae268cf3 100644
--- a/core/src/components/item/readme.md
+++ b/core/src/components/item/readme.md
@@ -1933,7 +1933,7 @@ export default defineComponent({
 | ----------------- | ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- |
 | `button`          | `button`           | If `true`, a button tag will be rendered and the item will be tappable.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | `boolean`                                               | `false`             |
 | `color`           | `color`            | The color to use from your application's color palette. Default options are: `"primary"`, `"secondary"`, `"tertiary"`, `"success"`, `"warning"`, `"danger"`, `"light"`, `"medium"`, and `"dark"`. For more information on colors, see [theming](/docs/theming/basics).                    | `string \| undefined`                                   | `undefined`         |
-| `counter`         | `counter`          | If `true`, a character counter will display the ratio of characters used and the total character limit. Only applies when the `maxlength` property is set on the inner `ion-input` or `ion-textarea`.                                                                                     | `boolean`                                               | `true`              |
+| `counter`         | `counter`          | If `true`, a character counter will display the ratio of characters used and the total character limit. Only applies when the `maxlength` property is set on the inner `ion-input` or `ion-textarea`.                                                                                     | `boolean`                                               | `false`             |
 | `detail`          | `detail`           | If `true`, a detail arrow will appear on the item. Defaults to `false` unless the `mode` is `ios` and an `href` or `button` property is present.                                                                                                                                          | `boolean \| undefined`                                  | `undefined`         |
 | `detailIcon`      | `detail-icon`      | The icon to use when `detail` is set to `true`.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | `string`                                                | `'chevron-forward'` |
 | `disabled`        | `disabled`         | If `true`, the user cannot interact with the item.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | `boolean`                                               | `false`             |