Letter Length Statistics

In this post, we explore the diverse lengths of letters across different contexts and time periods, shedding light on the optimal word counts for effective communication. From historical correspondence to modern-day emails, understanding the statistical averages and ideal lengths can enhance the impact of your written communication.

Statistic 1

"The average American's letter is said to be about a page, equating to about 500 words."

Statistic 2

"Emails, akin to letters, have an ideal length of 50 to 125 words for the best response rate."

Statistic 3

"According to Oxford scholars, the typical length of a letter during the Victorian era was 403 words."

Statistic 4

"American soldiers’ letters from World War II averaged 770 words in length."

Statistic 5

"According to a study by Boomerang, emails that are between 75-100 words have the highest response rate at 51%."

Statistic 6

"Shakespeare's letters, on average, held about 50 words per line, though actual letter length could vary."

Statistic 7

"Within Microsoft Word, the average typed letter at 12-point font size will have about 500 words on a single page."

Statistic 8

"The average query letter, a type of professional letter, should ideally be around 200–300 words."

Statistic 9

"According to research, more than 80% of cover letters are discarded after the first few lines."

Statistic 10

"An optimal subject line, similar to a letter greeting, should be about 5 words or 20 characters."

Statistic 11

"The APA advises that cover letters should be formatted to fill one side of an 8.5" x 11" page."

Statistic 12

"The greeting or salutation of a business letter is most often less than 5 words."

Statistic 13

"The New York Times found that the average length of a letter to the editor is about 150 to 175 words."

Statistic 14

"The Society for Human Resource Management suggests that a professional thank you letter should be around 100 to 200 words long."

Analysing a wide array of statistics regarding letter lengths and email responses reveals a clear trend towards conciseness and brevity in modern communication. While historical letters may have been more lengthy, contemporary emails and professional letters benefit from being succinct, generally falling within the 50-300 word range for optimal impact. Understanding these trends can empower individuals to craft more effective and efficient written communications, ultimately enhancing their chances of eliciting the desired response or outcome.