How fast do you need to write for IELTS?
IELTS Writing lasts 60 minutes and has two tasks. Task 1 needs at least 150 words, and Task 2 needs at least 250. IELTS suggests about 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2, and Task 2 counts for twice as much of your Writing score.
You won't spend all 60 minutes writing. Good candidates plan before each task and check their work at the end, so the real writing time is closer to 45 minutes. To reach 400 words in that time, you need a steady pace of about 9 words per minute. At 10 or more, you have time to spare.
| Task | Time | Words | Suggested split | Pace needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task 1 | 20 min | 150+ | 3 min plan · 14 min write · 3 min check | about 11 wpm |
| Task 2 | 40 min | 250+ | 5 min plan · 30 min write · 5 min check | about 8–9 wpm |
How this writing speed test works
Most typing tests ask you to copy a passage. That doesn't match IELTS, where you have to think of ideas and build sentences as you go. This test gives you a Task 2 style question instead, so you write your own answer, just like on test day.
If you type, the timer starts with your first word and pasting is switched off. If you write by hand, start the timer, write on paper, and enter your word count when the time is up. Either way, you get your words per minute and how long 150 and 250 words would take you at that pace.
Why your essay speed is slower than your typing speed
Writing your own text is much slower than copying. In a well-known study of computer users, people typed about 33 words per minute when copying text but only about 19 when composing their own. So if a typing test says you type 40 words per minute, don't expect 40 in an essay. Your IELTS pace is the number this test gives you.
Typing or handwriting: which is better for you?
Both formats use the same tasks, timing and marking. On the computer test, a word counter shows how many words you've written. On paper, you have to estimate it, usually by counting lines. Try this test both ways. If one format gives you clearly more words, choose it. Read our full guide to IELTS Writing on paper vs computer before you book.
How to write faster in IELTS Writing
Plan first. Two or three minutes of planning saves more time than it costs, because you don't stop mid-paragraph wondering what to say next.
Use a fixed structure. An introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion works for almost every Task 2 question. You only need to decide the ideas, not the layout.
Write simply, then improve. A clear sentence written now is worth more than a perfect sentence you never finish. Range and accuracy come with practice.
Practise under time. Timed practice is the fastest way to build pace. Take a free IELTS Writing practice test with a live timer and word counter, and get a band score for each criterion.
Does writing more words get a higher band?
No. There is no upper word limit, but examiners mark how well you answer the task, not how much you write. Writing far beyond the minimum leaves less time to check, and every extra sentence is another chance for an error. A good target is about 170–190 words for Task 1 and 270–300 for Task 2.