How long is the Common App essay supposed to be?

The Common App essay has a strict word limit: the maximum is 650 words, and the minimum is 250 words. The online application will actually cut off anything beyond 650 words, so if you try to submit a draft that's even one word over, you’ll need to trim it before it's accepted for submission.

There isn’t a single “ideal” length within the 250-650 range, but most successful essays tend to fall around 600-650 words. That’s because this word count gives you room to develop your story, reflect on its meaning, and showcase your personality—all important parts of a strong essay. It’s not about hitting a certain number just for the sake of it, though: it’s about using the space well to communicate something authentic and meaningful about yourself.

Some students worry shorter essays (say, around 400 words) might be more impactful, but unless you have an especially concise story with a ton of depth, usually a fuller essay makes a bigger impression. For example, a student I worked with wanted to write about a moment of conflict with a teacher to show how they developed courage, but their first draft was only about 350 words. We encouraged them to expand by adding more internal reflection and vivid sensory detail, and the revised version—about 620 words—showed far more depth and insight.

The best approach? Write your story first, then revise with the limit in mind. Cut anything repetitive or unnecessary, and aim to land somewhere in the 600-650 range if you can, but don’t add fluff just to hit the top end. If your narrative feels finished and powerful at 540, that’s fine too! Just make sure you’re well above the 250 minimum so the story can truly develop. Most important, make sure every paragraph adds value and keeps readers interested from the first sentence to the last.

When you’re ready, paste your essay into the Common App textbox and double-check the word count—it will flag you if you’ve gone over the limit. And always preview before you submit to make sure the formatting didn’t get weird! Good luck as you start drafting—finding your authentic voice matters more than a perfect number.