One of the most common (and often confusing) questions students face when writing a dissertation is: how many words should a literature review be? The answer isn’t always straightforward, but there are some helpful guidelines to keep in mind. Generally, the literature review should account for around 20% to 30% of your total dissertation word count. So, if your full dissertation is 12,000 words, the literature review should typically be between 2,400 and 3,600 words. However, this can vary depending on your subject area, research depth, and university requirements. The key is to focus on relevance over length. Your review should explore major themes, highlight gaps in existing research, and connect past studies to your own research goals. If it does all of that effectively in 2,000 words, that may be sufficient. Whether you’re just starting or revising your structure, understanding how much space to give your literature review helps keep your dissertation focused and balanced. Always check your institution’s guidelines—and don’t be afraid to ask your supervisor if you’re unsure!

How Many Words Should a Literature Review Be? Let’s Break It Down

One of the most common (and often confusing) questions students face when writing a dissertation is: how many words should a literature review be? The answer isn’t always straightforward, but there are some helpful guidelines to keep in mind. Generally, the literature review should account for around 20% to 30% of your total dissertation word count. So, if your full dissertation is...