Word Count, Reading Time & Attention Spans: How Long Should Your Content Be?
People skim. People binge. The right length depends on context, not a universal magic number. This guide helps you pick the right size for what you’re writing and keep it readable.
Reading time basics
- Average adult reading speed is roughly 200–250 words per minute.
- Headlines and bullets are skimmed faster; dense paragraphs slow readers down.
- Context matters: a 200-word update can be perfect for email; a 1,800-word guide can win for SEO.
Match length to the channel
- Tweets / short posts: 30–200 words. Keep one idea, one CTA.
- Emails / newsletters: 200–800 words. Clear scannable sections.
- Blog posts: 800–2,500 words. Depth beats fluff; structure matters.
- Landing pages: Length varies—start concise; expand sections that remove objections.
- Documentation: As long as needed, but layered with headings, anchors, and summaries.
Estimate reading time quickly
- Draft in your usual tool (Google Docs, Notion, VS Code).
- Paste into TiniText Word Counter.
- Note word count and estimated reading time; adjust sections to match your goal.
Tip: If you cut words, replace them with bullets or subheadings, not walls of text.
Make long content scannable
- Use H2/H3 every 150–250 words.
- Keep paragraphs to 2–4 sentences.
- Use bullets for lists of benefits or steps.
- Add callouts: “> Tip:” to spotlight key advice.
- Add a mini-TOC at the top for long guides.
When to go short
- Social posts, quick product updates, micro announcements.
- Landing pages for low-friction actions (sign up, book a call).
- Readers are already committed (they just need the link or date).
When to go long
- Tutorials, comparisons, and “how it works” explainers.
- High-stakes decisions (pricing, migrations, contracts).
- Evergreen guides you intend to rank and keep updating.
Workflow with TiniText
- Draft anywhere: Notion, Google Docs, or Word.
- Check length: Paste into Word Counter to confirm word count and reading time.
- Tighten flow: Run tricky sections through Text Diff to see before/after edits.
- Clean formatting: Use Text Cleaner if you copy between tools.
Example: choosing length by goal
- Newsletter tip: 350 words; one story, one CTA, one link.
- Comparison post: 1,500–2,000 words; structured sections; conclude with a clear choice.
- Onboarding email series: 150–250 words each; one action per email.
Tools that help
- Drafting: Notion, Google Docs, iA Writer.
- Polishing: Grammarly, ProWritingAid, LanguageTool.
- Structure: VS Code with markdown preview, Obsidian.
- Quick checks: TiniText Word Counter for every final pass.