Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
What the official pages say
The Academic Writing format page says you must write at least 150 words in Task 1 and 250 in Task 2. For both tasks it adds: 'If your answer is too short, there may not be enough evidence of the language features needed in order to award higher bands.' The General Training page uses the same wording.
The minimum is built into the marking itself. The Writing key assessment criteria define Task Achievement and Task Response as fulfilling the task 'using a minimum of 150 words' and 'using a minimum of 250 words'. ielts.org does not publish a fixed number of marks lost per missing word.
Where length appears in the band descriptors
The Writing band descriptors (updated May 2023) mention length at the low end of the scale. These lines apply to Task 1 and Task 2 alike.
| Band | Descriptor wording on length | Criterion |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | The resource is inadequate (which may be due to the response being significantly underlength) | Lexical Resource |
| 3 | Length may be insufficient to provide evidence of control of sentence forms | Grammatical Range and Accuracy |
| 1 | Responses of 20 words or fewer are rated at Band 1 | All four criteria |
| 1 | Any copied rubric must be discounted | Task Achievement / Task Response |
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What this means in practice
A response a little under the minimum is still marked on all four criteria, but it gives the examiner less to reward. Words copied from the question do not help you reach the count, because copied rubric is discounted.
IDP India's advice is blunt: markers count every word, and 'not having enough words will lower your score' (IDP India). On IELTS on computer and on paper the minimum is the same.
Frequently asked questions
How many marks do I lose for each missing word?+
There is no published per-word deduction. ielts.org says a short answer may not show enough language for higher bands, and the descriptors rate 20 words or fewer at band 1.
Is 240 words in Task 2 a fail?+
IELTS has no pass or fail. A short essay is still marked on the four criteria, but it falls below the 250-word minimum the criteria are written around, so it gives less evidence for higher bands.
Does the question I copy count towards the word count?+
No. The band descriptors say any copied rubric must be discounted.
Is the minimum the same for General Training?+
Yes. Both Academic and General Training ask for at least 150 words in Task 1 and 250 in Task 2.
Keep reading
Related
- Is there a maximum word count in IELTS Writing?
- Do copied words count in IELTS Writing?
- IELTS Writing test format
- IELTS Writing band descriptors
- All 3112 guides
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