Abstract Word Count Limits (APA Guidelines)
Imagine you have finished a paper and are ready to submit it. The assignment says “APA style,” but it does not say whether you need an abstract. Or perhaps a journal asks for one but sets a word limit that differs from the range you found online. It is easy to mistake a general guideline for a rule that applies to every paper.
I use a simple order to resolve that uncertainty: check the instructions that control your submission, draft the abstract to match the paper, then verify the count and format. This guide explains APA 7’s general recommendation and shows how to apply it without overlooking a stricter assignment or publication rule.
Abstract Requirements by Assignment and Publication Type
An abstract is a short summary of a paper. APA 7’s general recommendation is 150–250 words, but whether you need one, and how long it may be, depends on the kind of paper and the instructions for your assignment or publication. Check those instructions before treating the APA range as a fixed limit.
Do all APA-style student papers need an abstract?
No. APA style does not mean every student paper must have an abstract. Some instructors require one; others do not. A course rubric, assignment sheet, or direct instruction from your instructor is the best guide.
If your assignment does not mention an abstract, do not assume that you must add one. Check the course materials or ask your instructor. Adding an unrequested abstract may not earn credit, and it can take time away from required parts of the paper.
When is an abstract expected for a professional paper?
For professional writing, the journal or other publication’s submission instructions are central. A publication may require an abstract and set its own word limit or content format. Those specific directions take priority over APA’s general recommendation when you prepare that submission.
Before you draft, look for a section called “Author guidelines,” “Submission guidelines,” or similar. Check whether an abstract is required, whether the publication calls it a particular type of abstract, and whether it gives a word range or maximum. Do not assume that every journal uses the same limit.
A target within the range can make revision easier. For instance, aiming near the middle gives you room to add a needed detail or cut an extra phrase. But if a journal sets a maximum below 150 words, follow that maximum rather than stretching the abstract to meet APA’s general recommendation.
What should the abstract include?
An abstract should give a brief, accurate picture of the paper. For a research report, it commonly covers the purpose, approach or method, main findings, and conclusions or implications. A review or other paper may need a summary suited to its purpose and content.
Use only information that appears in the paper. Do not add a result, claim, or conclusion that the full text does not support. Keep the focus on what readers need to understand the paper’s subject and main contribution, rather than on background details that do not help summarize it.
How should an APA abstract be formatted?
In standard APA 7 format, begin the abstract on a new page. Center and bold the heading Abstract at the top. Start the abstract text on the next line, as one paragraph, normally without a first-line indent.
If keywords are requested or appropriate, place them below the abstract. In APA format, begin that line with the italicized label Keywords: and then give the keywords. Check publication instructions, since a journal may request a different label, number, or format, or may not want keywords.
| Feature | General APA 7 format | What may change |
|---|---|---|
| Page placement | Abstract begins on a new page | Assignment or publication templates may specify another layout. |
| Heading | “Abstract,” centered and bold | Follow a provided template if it differs. |
| Paragraph | One paragraph, normally no first-line indent | Specific directions may set other formatting rules. |
| Keywords | Below the abstract, with Keywords: in italics when included | Include them only when requested or appropriate, and follow the publication’s instructions. |
Key takeaway: Check content, count, and page format as separate requirements. Meeting the word range alone does not make an abstract compliant.
Drafting, Compliance Checks, and Common Errors
A compliant abstract is both within the required limit and faithful to the paper. Draft the summary first, then revise it against the governing instructions. This order helps you avoid cutting key information just to meet a number before you know what the abstract needs to say.
A practical four-step process
- Find the controlling instructions. Check the assignment rubric, instructor guidance, or journal submission rules. Note whether an abstract is required, the word limit, and any format or keyword rules.
- Draft from the completed paper. State the paper’s purpose and include its main approach, findings, argument, or implications when they apply. Keep each point consistent with the full text.
- Revise for the required length. Remove repeated ideas and details that do not help readers understand the paper. If no different limit is given, use APA’s general 150–250-word range.
- Verify the final version. Check the count, placement, heading, paragraph format, and keyword instructions. Recheck the specific assignment or publication rules before submitting.
How should you count the words?
Count the abstract text, not the heading “Abstract.” Whether keywords count toward a stated limit can depend on the assignment or publication, so check its instructions. If they do not explain what counts, ask rather than assume.
A word-processing program can give you a quick count, but it cannot decide which rule applies. It may also count hyphenated terms or numbers differently from a submission system. If a strict maximum matters, leave a small margin below it and use the same counting method required by the instructor or journal, if one is specified.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating 150–250 words as mandatory for every paper. It is APA’s general recommendation, not a universal limit.
- Adding an abstract when the assignment does not require one. Confirm the instructor’s expectations first.
- Ignoring a journal’s shorter maximum. The publication’s specific submission rules control its submissions.
- Including information absent from the paper. The abstract should not promise results or claims the paper does not contain.
- Forgetting format details. A correct count does not replace the new-page placement, heading, and paragraph checks.
- Adding keywords automatically. Include them only when requested or appropriate, and follow the relevant directions.
Two common submission scenarios
Student paper: A student sees “APA 7” on an assignment but no mention of an abstract. The safe next step is to review the rubric and ask the instructor if it remains unclear. APA style alone does not establish that this student paper needs an abstract.
Journal manuscript: A researcher finds that APA generally recommends 150–250 words, while the target journal gives a lower maximum. The researcher should follow the journal’s limit, then shape the abstract to fit it without adding claims that the paper does not support.
These are illustrative scenarios, not claims about a particular course or journal. They show why the first step is always to identify the rule that applies to your own submission.
Key takeaway: Decide what to include before trimming. Then count the version that will actually be submitted, including any required revisions.
Abstracts’ Role in Scholarly Communication and Publication
An abstract gives readers a short account of a paper so they can judge whether its subject and content are relevant to them. It is not a substitute for the paper and should not make claims the paper cannot support. A clear, accurate summary helps readers understand what to expect.
For a student, the abstract can show that they can state a paper’s purpose and main points concisely, if the assignment asks for one. For a publication, an abstract also has to meet the publisher’s submission rules. In both cases, the summary should match the paper rather than advertise a stronger or broader result.
When I check an abstract, I separate three questions: Is one required? What limit applies? Does the summary accurately reflect the paper? That quick check prevents the most common problem: applying a general guideline without checking the instructions that actually govern the submission.
Next step: Find the rubric or submission guide, record its abstract requirements, and use the final checklist above before you submit.
Is an abstract always required in an APA paper?
No. An APA-style student paper does not automatically need an abstract. Follow the assignment or instructor’s directions.
Do journal instructions override the APA word range?
For a journal submission, follow the journal’s specific abstract limit and format. APA’s range is a general recommendation, not a replacement for the journal’s rules.
Does the abstract start on a new page?
In standard APA 7 format, yes. Start it on a new page, unless the controlling instructions or provided template say otherwise.
Should the word “Abstract” be bold?
In standard APA 7 format, center and bold the heading “Abstract” at the top of the page.
Should the abstract paragraph be indented?
Normally, no. APA format uses one paragraph without a first-line indent, unless specific instructions say otherwise.
Do keywords count toward the abstract word limit?
The answer may depend on the assignment or publication’s counting rules. Check its instructions, and ask if they do not clarify.
Are keywords required in APA 7?
Not for every paper. Include them when requested or appropriate to the submission, and follow the relevant instructions.
What should an abstract summarize?
It should briefly reflect the paper’s purpose and, where relevant, its approach, main findings, argument, or implications. Include no claim that the paper itself does not support.
What if my abstract is under 150 words?
That may be fine if your instructor or publication sets a lower limit. If no different instruction applies, APA’s general recommendation is 150–250 words.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Alan Westbrook. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
