Back to blog posts

IB Word Counts: Every IA, EE and TOK Limit Explained

9 min read

Oct 10, 2026

#IB Word Count#IB Internal Assessment#Extended Essay#TOK Essay
IB Word Counts: Every IA, EE and TOK Limit Explained cover image

You have finished writing your Internal Assessment, but your document shows 3,100 words. Is that within the limit? Does your bibliography count? What about tables, diagrams and footnotes?

The answer depends on your subject and assessment session.

IB coursework does not follow one universal word limit. Some Internal Assessments have strict maximums, others use page limits, and several require videos, presentations or oral assessments instead of conventional written reports.

This guide brings the major IB Diploma Programme word limits into one reference table, including the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, subject Internal Assessments and the MYP Personal Project.

Last checked: October 2026. The table distinguishes requirements applicable to the 2026 assessment cycle from syllabus changes introduced for 2027. Always confirm the guide assigned to your examination session before submitting work.

IB Word Count Table: IA, EE, TOK and More

The following table covers the standard Diploma Programme subjects and core components, including relevant changes between assessment sessions.

SL means Standard Level, while HL means Higher Level. A limit described as recommended is not necessarily a mandatory maximum.

Subject or componentAssessment sessionWord count or submission limit
Extended Essay2026 and 2027Maximum 4,000 words
EE reflections2026Maximum 500 words combined across three reflections
EE reflective statementFrom 2027Maximum 500 words in one final reflective statement
TOK essay2026 and 2027Maximum 1,600 words
TOK exhibition commentary2026 and 2027Maximum 950 words across three objects
CASCurrent DPNo universal written word limit
Language A: Literature IA2026 and 2027Individual oral, 15 minutes; no written essay word limit
Language A: Language and Literature IA2026 and 2027Individual oral, 15 minutes; no written essay word limit
Language A HL essay2026 and 20271,200 to 1,500 words; externally assessed, not an IA
Language B IA2026 and 2027Individual oral; no conventional essay word limit
Language ab initio IA2026 and 2027Individual oral; no conventional essay word limit
Classical Languages IA2026 and 2027Maximum 1,200 words across introduction, annotations and conclusion
Literature and Performance IA2026Performance and oral assessment; no conventional essay word limit
Business Management IA2026 and 2027Maximum 1,800 words
Economics IA2026 and 2027Three commentaries, maximum 800 words each
Geography IA2026 and 2027Maximum 2,500 words
History IAThrough 2027Maximum 2,200 words
Global Politics IAFrom 2026Maximum 2,000 words
Digital Society IA2026 and 2027Maximum 1,500 words for the inquiry process document, plus a multimedia presentation of up to 10 minutes
Philosophy IA2026 and 2027Maximum 2,000 words
Psychology IA2026Experimental report of 1,800 to 2,200 words
Psychology IAFrom 2027Research proposal, maximum 2,200 words
Social and Cultural Anthropology SL IA2026Four components: 450, 300, 400 and 850 words
Social and Cultural Anthropology HL IA2026800 word critical reflection plus 1,600 word research report
World Religions IA2026Written analysis of 1,500 to 1,800 words
Language and Culture IA2026Maximum 1,500 words
Biology IAFrom 2025Maximum 3,000 words
Chemistry IAFrom 2025Maximum 3,000 words
Physics IAFrom 2025Maximum 3,000 words
Environmental Systems and Societies IAFrom 2026Maximum 3,000 words
Sports, Exercise and Health Science IAFrom 2026Maximum 3,200 words
Design Technology SL IA2026Maximum 3,000 words and 38 A4 equivalent pages
Design Technology HL IA2026Maximum 4,000 words and 56 A4 equivalent pages
Design Technology IAFrom 2027Maximum 3,500 words; approximately 35 pages recommended
Computer Science IA2026Maximum 2,000 words for the solution documentation
Computer Science IAFrom 2027Maximum 2,000 words for documentation, plus demonstration video of up to 5 minutes
Mathematics AA IAThrough 2028Approximately 12 to 20 pages recommended; no fixed word limit
Mathematics AI IAThrough 2028Approximately 12 to 20 pages recommended; no fixed word limit
Visual Arts SL IA2026Exhibition with a 400 word curatorial rationale
Visual Arts HL IA2026Exhibition with a 700 word curatorial rationale
Visual Arts SL IAFrom 2027Five resolved artworks and a 700 word rationale, maximum 2 screens
Visual Arts HL IAFrom 2027Five selected artworks, a rationale of up to 700 words and five artwork texts totalling up to 1,000 words; maximum 8 screens
Film IA portfolio2026Maximum 9 pages plus film reel of up to 9 minutes
Film HL collaborative film IA2026Maximum 2,000 word project report plus film of up to 7 minutes
Theatre IA2026Production proposal, maximum 12 pages and 4,000 words
Music IA: Experimenting with Music2026Maximum 1,500 word report plus prescribed audio excerpts
Music HL: Contemporary Music Maker IA2026Multimedia presentation of up to 15 minutes
Dance IA2026Performance based assessment; no single universal essay word limit
MYP Personal ProjectCurrent MYP formatMaximum 15 pages without recording, or fewer pages when using recorded material

The figures draw on the IB's 2026 examiner instructions, published subject guides and curriculum update schedule.

For specialised subjects, locally approved syllabuses or examination sessions beyond those identified, use the appropriate subject guide rather than extending a figure from an earlier course.

What Counts Towards an IB Word Limit?

The most common mistake is assuming every IB subject follows the same counting rules.

In many written assessments, the main prose, analysis, explanations and quotations contribute to the total. Bibliographies and conventional citations are commonly excluded.

However, the exact exclusions depend on the subject.

Extended Essay

The EE word count includes the introduction, main argument, conclusion, quotations and explanatory material that forms part of the discussion.

The bibliography, references and specified presentation elements are excluded under the relevant guide. Footnotes cannot be used to move substantial analysis outside the word limit.

The IB's Extended Essay guide for first assessment 2027 provides the applicable framework.

Theory of Knowledge

For the TOK essay, the maximum is 1,600 words. Students should count their argument, including quotations, while checking the official rules for references and citations.

For the exhibition, the 950 word maximum applies to the combined written commentary, not separately to each object.

Science IAs

Biology, Chemistry and Physics use a 3,000 word maximum. Sports, Exercise and Health Science uses 3,200 words.

Tables, graphs, raw data and other specified scientific material may be excluded, but students should not place lengthy explanatory paragraphs inside tables simply to avoid counting them.

Geography

The word limit is 2,500 words. The IB's 2026 Geography examiner guidance includes specific treatment of annotations, tables and references.

This is why checking subject guidance is more reliable than relying on your word processor's total.

Three Important Changes for Students Assessed in 2027

Several subjects have updated assessment models.

Psychology: The former experimental report is replaced by a research proposal. The maximum remains 2,200 words, but the required task and assessment criteria change. See the 2027 Psychology guide.

Visual Arts: The previous exhibition assessment is replaced by resolved artworks. SL and HL have different documentation requirements, even though both submit five artworks. The old curatorial rationale limits should not be applied to the new course.

Design Technology: The previous SL and HL design project word and page limits are replaced by a revised assessment with a 3,500 word maximum. The published guide also recommends approximately 35 pages. Its suggested word allocation across criteria is guidance, not a requirement to use every available word. See the IB Design Technology update.

Computer Science also changes its IA structure for 2027, even though the documentation retains a 2,000 word maximum.

History changes again for first assessment in 2028, including a revised investigation structure. Students in that cohort should use the new History course guidance rather than assuming the 2027 limit and structure remain unchanged.

The MYP Personal Project Has a Page Budget, Not a Word Limit

The MYP Personal Project belongs to the Middle Years Programme, not the Diploma Programme.

Its report format uses an exchange between written pages and recorded minutes.

A report without recorded material may contain up to 15 pages. Every minute of recorded material reduces the available page allowance by one, up to a maximum recording duration of 10 minutes.

Recorded materialMaximum written pages
0 minutes15 pages
1 minute14 pages
2 minutes13 pages
5 minutes10 pages
10 minutes5 pages

These are alternative ways to submit the report, not additional allowances that can be combined freely.

The ManageBac Personal Project report guidance explains the format. Confirm your school's requirements for formatting and excluded material.

What Happens If You Exceed the Limit?

Do not assume that an examiner will read extra material simply because it contains your conclusion or strongest analysis.

The IB's 2026 Business Management examiner instructions explicitly direct moderators to stop reading when the 1,800 word maximum has been reached.

Other subjects have their own instructions and consequences. An overlength submission can therefore lose credit because important evidence appears beyond the permitted limit.

Aim to finish comfortably within the maximum rather than treating it as a target.

How to Check Your Word Count Before Submission

Begin by identifying your exact subject guide and assessment session. Then check the counting rules for that component, not another subject's IA.

Use your document editor to count the included sections. Review quotations, annotations, captions, tables and footnotes separately where the guide gives them different treatment.

Finally, verify that your conclusion, evaluation and essential evidence remain inside the permitted submission.

A shorter report that satisfies every criterion is more useful than a longer report whose strongest analysis cannot be considered.

For additional guidance, see Lanterna's IA writing checklist and the Clastify discussion of Philosophy IA limits.

Plan Your Coursework With Koncepts

Knowing your word limit solves only one part of coursework management. You still need to select an appropriate research question, meet subject criteria, follow academic integrity requirements and complete the assignment on time.

Koncepts for IB Diploma students provides subject learning resources and study support to help organise preparation across the Diploma Programme.

Use the limits in this guide as a starting reference, then work directly from the official subject guide provided by your coordinator.

Read IB Internal Assessment Mistakes Students Must Avoid to identify common coursework errors.

Explore Stop Chasing IA Deadlines: A Two Year Plan That Works for better long term coursework planning.

For responsible use of digital tools, see Using AI in Your IB IA? Here's How to Stay Safe and Score Higher.

Related reading

Written By

Author Profile Picture

Aditi Sneha

Growth Strategist

Reviewed by Ayisha Shahani, IB Content Head at Koncepts.