IELTS Writing Task 2: How Many Words Should You Write?

Reading time: 12 minutes

"Write at least 250 words."

This instruction appears on every IELTS Task 2 question, yet it generates endless confusion:

• What happens if I write fewer than 250 words?
• Should I write as much as possible to impress the examiner?
• Is there an upper limit?
• Does more always equal better?

This guide gives you clear, definitive answers so you can stop worrying about word count and focus on what actually matters: the quality of your writing.

The Official Requirements

Task 2: Write at least 250 words
Task 1: Write at least 150 words

These minimums are clearly stated in the test instructions. But "at least" raises an important question: what's the maximum?

There is no upper word limit. IELTS has never specified a maximum word count. You can write 400 words if you want.

But should you? Let's examine what actually helps your score.

What Happens If You Write Under 250 Words?

The Old Penalty System (Pre-2018)

Previously, writing under the minimum word count resulted in an automatic penalty—your Task Response score was capped at Band 5, regardless of quality.

The Current System

The automatic penalty has been removed. However, this does not mean short essays are acceptable.

If you write fewer than 250 words:

• Your ideas probably aren't developed enough for Band 7+
• You won't demonstrate sufficient vocabulary range
• You won't show enough grammatical variety
• Your Task Response score will naturally be limited

In other words, the penalty is now built into the marking criteria rather than being a separate deduction. The result is the same: short essays score lower.

The Ideal Word Count

For most students, the sweet spot is 270-290 words.

Here's why:

Why not exactly 250?
At exactly 250 words, there's no margin for error. If you miscount, you might be under. More importantly, 250 words barely allows for two developed body paragraphs plus introduction and conclusion.

Why not 300+?
More words mean:

• More chances for grammatical errors
• More time pressure
• Risk of repetition or going off-topic
• Less time for proofreading

The ideal breakdown:

• Introduction: 40-50 words (2-3 sentences)
• Body Paragraph 1: 80-100 words
• Body Paragraph 2: 80-100 words
• Conclusion: 30-40 words (2 sentences)
• Total: 270-290 words

This allows for fully developed ideas without unnecessary padding.

Does Writing More Improve Your Score?

No. This is one of the most persistent myths about IELTS.

Your score is based on:

1. Task Response (did you answer the question fully?)
2. Coherence and Cohesion (is your essay logical and well-organised?)
3. Lexical Resource (vocabulary range and accuracy)
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

None of these criteria reward length for its own sake.

A focused 270-word essay with clear arguments and accurate language will outscore a rambling 350-word essay with repetition and errors every time.

What More Words Often Mean

Negative outcomes:

• More errors (each sentence is another chance to make mistakes)
• Repetition (running out of new ideas, restating the same point)
• Going off-topic (adding information that doesn't answer the question)
• Time pressure (less time for planning and checking)

The only positive scenario:
More words can help IF you're adding genuinely new, relevant ideas with good language. But most students at Band 5-6 don't have this problem—they struggle to develop ideas, not to generate volume.

How Words Are Counted

Understanding the counting system helps you estimate your word count without actually counting every word.

What Counts as One Word

• Normal words: "education" = 1 word
• Hyphenated words: "well-being" = 1 word
• Contractions: "don't" = 1 word
• Numbers: "2024" = 1 word
• Dates: "15/03/2024" = 1 word

What Counts as Multiple Words

• "I am" = 2 words (vs. "I'm" = 1 word)
• "do not" = 2 words (vs. "don't" = 1 word)

Tip for Paper-Based Tests

On the paper test, you need to estimate your word count. Here's a reliable method:

1. Write normally for one line
2. Count the words in that line (typically 10-12 words)
3. Multiply by number of lines

Example: If your handwriting averages 11 words per line, and you've written 25 lines, that's approximately 275 words.

Practice this before the test so you know your personal average.

Tip for Computer-Based Tests

The computer automatically counts your words and displays the total. Use this feature, but don't obsess over it—check once or twice, then focus on content.

What If You're Running Out of Time?

If you have 5 minutes left and only 200 words written, don't panic. Here's your strategy:

Priority 1: Write a Conclusion

Even a brief conclusion (20-30 words) shows you completed your essay structure. Without a conclusion, you'll lose marks for:

• Task Response (essay feels incomplete)
• Coherence (no clear ending)

Quick conclusion formula: "In conclusion, [restate your position] because [brief summary of main reasons]."

Priority 2: Check What You Have

Spend remaining time proofreading what you've written. Correcting errors in 200 words may improve your score more than rushing to add 50 poorly-written words.

Why This Works

IELTS examiners understand time constraints. A well-written 220-word essay with a proper conclusion and minimal errors can still score Band 6+. A 250-word essay with no conclusion and numerous rushed errors might score lower.

Strategies for Hitting Your Target

If You Write Too Little

Common cause: Ideas aren't developed enough.

Solution: Use the PEEL method for body paragraphs:

• Point (topic sentence)
• Evidence (example or support)
• Explanation (why this matters)
• Link (connection to question)

Each PEEL paragraph naturally reaches 80-100 words.

Another cause: Introduction and conclusion are too brief.

Solution: Ensure your introduction includes:

1. Paraphrase of the question
2. Your thesis/position/essay outline

And your conclusion includes:

1. Summary of main points
2. Restatement of position

If You Write Too Much

Common cause: Repetition of the same idea in different words.

Solution: Before writing, make a brief plan. List your main points:

• Body 1: [One specific point]
• Body 2: [A different specific point]

If you find yourself repeating, you probably only have one real point spread across two paragraphs.

Another cause: Including unnecessary background information.

Solution: Cut these common padding phrases:

• "Since the beginning of time, humans have..."
• "In today's modern society, it is commonly known that..."
• "This is a very controversial topic that many people have opinions about..."

Get to your argument immediately.

Practical Word Count Exercise

Try this exercise to calibrate your writing:

1. Set a timer for 35 minutes
2. Write an essay on this topic: "Some people think that technology has made our lives more complex. Others believe it has made life simpler. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
3. Don't count words while writing
4. When finished, count your words
5. Note whether you're over, under, or at target

Repeat this exercise until you naturally write 270-290 words without counting.

Quick Reference

The Bottom Line

Word count matters, but not in the way most students think.

What matters:

• Meeting the minimum (250 words)
• Developing your ideas fully
• Maintaining accuracy
• Staying relevant to the question

What doesn't matter:

• Writing as much as possible
• Hitting exactly 250 words
• Padding with unnecessary phrases

Focus on writing a clear, well-developed essay of 270-290 words, and you'll naturally satisfy the word count requirements while maximising your potential score.

Beyond Word Count

If you're consistently struggling to reach 250 words, the problem usually isn't word count—it's idea development. You need to learn how to extend and support your arguments, not how to pad your writing.

Key Takeaways:

1. Write at least 250 words—but aim for 270-290
2. There is no maximum word count, but more isn't better
3. Quality beats quantity every time
4. The word count "penalty" is now built into the marking criteria
5. If running out of time, prioritise completing your conclusion
6. Practice until you naturally write within the ideal range

Stop counting words and start making them count.

Want to ensure your essays hit the right word count with quality content? We're currently in closed beta—join the waitlist to get early access to feedback on your essay length and development.