How long should a press release actually be?

The standard range

Most press releases run 200–400 words. This is long enough to include the news, context, and one quote without padding. Anything under 150 words leaves journalists without enough detail to work from. Anything over 500 words tests their patience.

What determines your length

Simple announcements (a hire, an event date) can be shorter—closer to 200 words. Complex news (a new policy, research findings, a partnership) needs more room to explain, so 300–400 words is appropriate. Complex doesn't mean wordy; it means more facts need stating.

The structure matters more than length

A well-organized 250-word press release outperforms a rambling 400-word one. Journalists scan: headline, first paragraph, then selectively. If your key points are buried, length works against you.

Quality over quantity

Don't add words to reach a number. Every sentence should serve the journalist: providing facts, answering questions, or adding necessary context. If a paragraph doesn't do one of those things, cut it.