IELTS Writing Task 2: how many words should you write?
How many words to write in IELTS Writing Task 2: the 250-word minimum, the ideal range, penalties for short essays, and how to plan length.
By English Grader study guides · AI-assisted educational content · Official sources linked below
The short answer
Write at least 250 words; 270–320 is a comfortable range that leaves time to check your work.
The 250-word minimum
Essays under 250 words can lose marks in Task Response. Task 1 needs at least 150.
The ideal range
Longer is not better. Around 270–320 words lets you develop two body paragraphs fully while leaving time to proofread.
Related guide: Task 2 essay structure
Plan length by paragraph
- Introduction: ~40 words
- Body 1: ~100 words
- Body 2: ~100 words
- Conclusion: ~40 words
Put this into practice
Write an essay and see your word count with feedback.
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Official sources and further reading
Practice examples and study routines are illustrative advice, not official band-scored answers or predictions of exam questions.