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WordPress core does not document a built-in setting that prevents publishing a post below a chosen word count. To set a minimum, use a writing-goal plugin for a visible reminder, an editorial guard plugin for a publish block, or custom validation with WordPress’s word-count package.
Choose between a writing goal and a publish block
A visible goal helps writers judge progress; a hard gate prevents publication until a rule is met. Pick the workflow that matches your editorial policy rather than treating the two as interchangeable.
| Approach | What it does | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Editor Writing Goals | Shows a live count and goals in the block editor; supports global defaults and goals set for an individual post. | Teams that want drafting feedback while leaving the final decision to an editor. |
| MirM Editorial Guard | Documents a minimum-word rule and says it disables Publish until configured rules pass. Its listing gives 300 words as an example. | Sites that need a publication gate. |
| Custom validation | Uses the official @wordpress/wordcount package to count words; the developer defines the threshold and enforcement. |
Sites with bespoke editorial workflows or validation needs. |
Show writers a word-count goal in Gutenberg
- Install and activate Editor Writing Goals.
- In the WordPress dashboard, go to Settings > Editor Writing Goals to set default goals and feature toggles.
- Open a post or page in the block editor, then open the Writing Goals panel in the document sidebar.
- Use the live word count and goal as drafting feedback. The plugin supports a per-post goal as well as global defaults.
This is a reminder, not a publication restriction; writers can still rely on editorial judgment at publish time. See the Editor Writing Goals listing.
Block publication below a minimum
Install and configure MirM Editorial Guard, then enable its Minimum Word Count rule and set the threshold your site requires. The plugin listing describes the rule as requiring body text to meet the specified minimum and says the Publish button is disabled until configured rules pass. The listing’s 300-word figure is an example, not a WordPress default or a universal recommendation.
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Confirm the plugin’s current compatibility and update status, and test the rule in your own editor and publishing workflow before relying on it. See the MirM Editorial Guard listing.
Build a custom word-count check
Developers can use the official @wordpress/wordcount package. Its documented API is count( text, type, userSettings ); type accepts words, characters_excluding_spaces, or characters_including_spaces. The package provides counting, not a ready-made minimum-word policy.
For a custom workflow, count the relevant post content and connect the result to an editor notice, save or publish validation, or a server-side permission check. The threshold and enforcement behavior are implementation choices, so test them for each editor and post type your site uses. Read the @wordpress/wordcount reference.
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In WordPress 6.9, the Time to Read block includes a Word Count variation that displays the total words for the current post or page. The documentation describes it as a display feature, not a minimum setting or publication block. It also says the block uses language-aware counting and that custom words-per-minute values are not configurable in WordPress 6.9. Read the Time to Read block documentation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do not confuse post length with excerpt length
WordPress Developer Resources documents wp_trim_excerpt() as generating an excerpt with a maximum of 55 words; the excerpt_length filter can change that limit. This concerns automatically generated excerpts, not the minimum length of a full post. See the wp_trim_excerpt() reference.
Quick Recap
Set a useful threshold and test what counts
- Define the counted content. Decide whether the rule includes headings, captions, reusable blocks, shortcodes, and embeds, rather than assuming every counter treats them the way your editors expect.
- Match the floor to the post type. One minimum can unfairly penalize short announcements, reviews, or image-led posts. Use different thresholds where the editorial purpose differs.
- Keep length separate from quality. A word-count threshold cannot establish that a post answers its question, has a clear structure, or uses appropriate sources. Review those as separate editorial checks.
- Verify coverage and upkeep. Check whether the chosen approach works in the block editor, classic editor, and custom post types you use. Plugin behavior and compatibility can change, so check current listings and test updates before deployment.
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