German writing task word counter
Writing too little is the easiest way to lose marks in the Schreiben module — examiners can only award content points for content that is there. Paste or type your text, pick your level, and see where you stand against the typical target length.
Email or forum post (Goethe / telc B1)
Words
0
Characters
0
Sentences
0
Nothing you type is uploaded — the count runs in your browser. Length is only one criterion: examiners also mark content points, structure and register.
See model answers in the B1 packTypical target lengths
A1 short messages and forms run to around 30 words, A2 personal messages around 40, B1 emails and forum posts around 80, and B2 opinion texts or formal letters around 150. These are guidance figures — the task sheet you get on the day is the authority, and some tasks state a required range explicitly.
Length is necessary, not sufficient
Every writing task lists content points (Leitpunkte) you must address. Hitting the word count while ignoring one of the four points costs more marks than being slightly short. Cover every point first, then check the length.
Register matters as much as grammar
A B1 email to an authority uses "Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren" and "Mit freundlichen Grüßen"; a message to a friend does not. Choosing the wrong register is one of the most common avoidable deductions at B1 and B2.
Frequently asked questions
+How many words does the Goethe B1 writing task need?
Around 80 words for the standard email or forum post task. Check the instructions on your paper — the required length is stated with the task.
+What happens if I write too few words?
You lose content-point marks, because there is less material for the examiner to credit. Very short answers can also be marked down for task fulfilment.
+Can I write more than the target?
A little over is fine. Substantially over wastes time you need for checking, and adds more places to make mistakes.
+Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. The counting runs entirely in your browser — nothing is sent to a server or stored.