Writing on Paper vs typing: which should you choose?

Writing on Paper is an option inside IELTS on computer. You take Listening and Reading on the computer. The Writing tasks appear on the screen, but you write your answers by hand on an IELTS Writing Answer Sheet.

The test centre gives you the pen and the answer sheet. If you need more space, the British Council says you can put your hand up and ask for another sheet. Speaking is the same in both options: a face-to-face talk with an examiner.

IELTS says the task types, the scoring and the time are the same whether you type or write by hand. You still have 60 minutes for two tasks. It is available for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

Your Test Report Form (TRF), the official results document, does not say which option you chose.

IELTS says Writing on Paper is offered only in selected countries, from mid-2026. IDP and the British Council are two of the organisations that run IELTS. The table shows what their websites say for each country today.

IDP India says the option is for “selected locations”, so not every test centre may offer it. Before you book, check the booking page or ask your test centre.

You do not book a separate test. IDP India says that where the option exists, you choose Writing on Paper when you book IELTS on computer. IDP India also says the fee is the same as typing.

You cannot choose it for IELTS for UKVI, the version of IELTS for UK visas. IELTS, IDP and the British Council all say Writing on Paper is not available for that test. If you need IELTS for UKVI, you must type.

Think about retakes too. One Skill Retake lets you retake just one part of the test. If you retake Writing this way, IELTS says you must use the same option as in your first test.

IELTS suggests about 20 minutes for Task 1, where you must write at least 150 words. It suggests about 40 minutes for Task 2, where you need at least 250 words.

To find the speed you need, divide the words by the minutes. For Task 1, 150 ÷ 20 = 7.5 words per minute (wpm). For Task 2, 250 ÷ 40 = 6.25 wpm.

You also need time to plan and to check. If you use half of each task’s time for that, you type for only 10 and 20 minutes. Then you need 15 wpm for Task 1 and 12.5 wpm for Task 2.

These are the lowest speeds for the shortest answers. A longer answer needs a faster speed. In the chart, T1 is Task 1 and T2 is Task 2.

When you type, IDP says an on-screen word count shows how many words you have written. You can also edit, delete and move text, and copy and paste.

On paper, you have none of these tools. The word count is a screen tool, so you count your own words. Editing is also slower, because you cannot copy, paste or move text.

Spelling counts in both options. IDP says spelling mistakes can affect your Lexical Resource score, which is the vocabulary part of your Writing band. On a computer, a typing mistake looks like a spelling mistake, so check your answer before time ends.

Results are fast in both options. IELTS says you get your results within 5 days with Writing on Paper. IDP’s India and Nepal Writing on Paper pages say results typically come in 1 to 2 days.

The table shows which option suits each situation.

If you choose Writing on Paper, practise counting your words. Count the words in three lines of your handwriting, find the average, then multiply by the number of lines. Before you practise, read how words are counted in IELTS.

If you choose to type, practise on a real keyboard, not a phone. IDP’s familiarisation test lets you try both Writing tasks on the computer screen. A familiarisation test is a practice version of the computer test that shows you how the screen works.

In both options, examiners mark the same four things. See how IELTS Writing is scored. When you have a practice answer, you can grade your essay for free.