How Many Sentences Are in a Paragraph?
Blog / WRITING
The traditional guideline is 3–5 sentences per paragraph for school writing, though longer academic paragraphs are common. Online, shorter paragraphs work better.
The basic structure
Topic sentence, two or three supporting sentences with evidence or examples, and a closing sentence that links to the next idea.
When to use fewer
News articles, blog posts and emails often use 1–3 sentences so readers can scan quickly.
When to use more
Complex academic arguments may need 6–10 sentences to explain and support one point.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 10-sentence paragraph too long?
Online it usually is. In academic writing it can be fine if it covers one idea.