How long is an op-ed?
Most op-eds are 600 to 800 words; some outlets take up to 1,200. That is about 2.4 to 3.2 double-spaced pages and three minutes of reading.
Work it out
pages, single-spaced, Arial 12 pt, about 500 words a page
- Handwritten pages
- 3.2
- Reading time
- 3 min 22 sec
- Speaking time
- 5 min 20 sec–6 min 9 sec
- Typing time
- 20 min
- Paragraphs
- 4–8
- Sentences
- 40–53
- Characters with spaces
- about 4,800
Write it in the word counter with a limit of 750 words.
Open the word counterOp-ed in pages and minutes
| Length | Single-spaced | Double-spaced | Reading time | Speaking time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600 words | 1.2 | 2.4 | 2 min 31 sec | 4 min–4 min 37 sec |
| 800 words | 1.6 | 3.2 | 3 min 22 sec | 5 min 20 sec–6 min 9 sec |
Estimates for US Letter or A4 with 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins and ordinary paragraphs; reading at 238 words a minute, speaking at 130 to 150.
Check the outlet
Every publication sets its own limit and states it in its submission guidelines, often with a strict maximum. Editors receive far more pieces than they can run; one over the limit gives them an easy reason to say no.
A structure that fits 750 words
- The hook: why this matters now (one or two sentences).
- Your argument, stated plainly.
- Three short paragraphs of evidence, each making one point.
- The strongest objection, answered.
- What should happen, and who should do it.
Use short paragraphs, often one to three sentences, as newspapers do. Count with the word counter set to the outlet’s limit.
Questions and answers
How many words is an op-ed?
Usually 600 to 800.
Does the headline count?
Usually not; editors write their own headlines anyway.
What is the difference between an op-ed and a letter to the editor?
A letter responds to something the paper published and is much shorter, often under 200 words.