Press Release Word Counter
Count words and characters, then grade your press release against typical PR length standards.
Words
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Read time
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Length grade
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Start typing or paste your press release to see how it scores against the 400 to 600 word ideal.
This tool runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you paste is uploaded.
How to use this tool
Paste the full body of your press release into the box. The counts for words, characters, sentences, and reading time update as you type. The grade below scores your length against the standard PR range so you can see at a glance whether to trim, expand, or leave it as is. There is no button to press and nothing is saved.
How the grade and PR length standards work
Most newsrooms and PR wire services expect a release to land between roughly 400 and 600 words. That is long enough to cover the headline, dateline, lead paragraph, body, a quote or two, and a boilerplate, but short enough that an editor can scan it in under two minutes. This grader buckets your word count against that standard.
300 to 399 words: A bit short
400 to 600 words: Ideal
601 to 800 words: A bit long
Over 800 words: Too long
Words are counted as runs of text separated by spaces. Characters include spaces, which matters when a wire service caps a release at a set character limit. Reading time assumes an average reading speed of 200 words per minute, the same pace a busy editor skims at.
A real example
Say you paste a product launch announcement that comes to 520 words and 3,100 characters. The grader marks it as Ideal because it sits inside the 400 to 600 word band, and the read time shows about 2m 36s. If you later add three extra paragraphs and push it to 870 words, the grade flips to Too long, signaling that an editor may cut it or skip it. Trimming back to a single quote and a tighter boilerplate brings you back into range.
Common questions
What is the ideal press release length?
Aim for 400 to 600 words. That range fits a clear headline, lead, body, one or two quotes, and a boilerplate without overwhelming an editor who is scanning dozens of releases.
Does the count include the headline and boilerplate?
It counts every word you paste, so include or exclude the headline and boilerplate depending on what you want measured. For a format check, paste the full release exactly as you would send it.
Why does character count matter for a press release?
Some distribution wires and email gateways enforce a character cap, and headlines often have their own limit. Watching characters alongside words helps you fit those format rules.
Is a longer press release ever better?
Occasionally. Technical, financial, or research announcements may need extra detail and can run to 700 or 800 words. For most product, event, and company news, shorter and tighter performs better.
Is this length guidance a strict rule?
No. The 400 to 600 word range is a widely used guideline, not a hard requirement, and is offered here for educational use. Follow any specific length and format rules your chosen wire service or publication provides.