How Many Words Should H Headings Be?

Your H1 is the big one—it's like the title of a book or the headline of a newspaper article. It sets the stage for everything that follows, so it’s important to get this right. Most SEO experts agree that your H1 should be clear, concise, and engaging. But how long should your H1 heading be to get the best results?

Character and Word Count Guidelines

Your H1 heading should be attention-grabbing, but not overwhelming. It should be between 20-60 characters. This strikes the right balance between giving enough information and keeping it punchy. Now, this is the rule of thumb, however, there are exception to the rule, so keep that on your back pocket.

Why H1 Length Matters

You don’t want to lose people’s interest right off the bat with an overly long H1. You’ve probably already noticed this, but search engines tend to cut off headings if they’re too long. A short, catchy H1, on the other hand, keeps readers engaged and gives search engines a good idea of what your content is about. Just to clarify, what gets cut off is the Title Tag, however, depending on the platform you are in and the plugins you are using, the H1 heading carries over to your Title tag. Hence, why we are saying your H1 heading will get cut off, so just keep that in mind.

H1 Best Practices

Ideally, sticking to a 5-12 word range keeps your H1 heading short but informative. Make sure to include your primary keyword naturally within the heading, while also ensuring it’s something that grabs attention and encourages people to click.

Examples of Effective H1 Headings:

1. "How To Build an SEO Keyword Strategy" (7 words)
2. "What is SEO and Why is SEO Important?" (8 words)

How Long Should Your H2 Heading Be?

H2 headings are the subtopics under your H1 and should complement it. They give your readers a more detailed breakdown of your content and are key for keeping readers on the page. When it comes to length, your H2 can afford to be a bit longer than your H1—but not too much.

Optimal Length for H2 Headings
Aim for H2s to be around 30-80 characters, or about 6-15 words. This gives you enough room to explain what’s coming next without overwhelming the reader.

Why H2 Length Matters for SEO
H2 headings provide a little more room to introduce secondary keywords while also breaking up your content. You increase the chances of ranking for those terms without resorting to keyword stuffing. This helps both readers and search engines understand the context of each section.

Examples of Strong H2 Headings:

• "Why Heading Tags Are Crucial for SEO Success" (8 words)
• "How to Use H2 Tags to Improve Search Visibility" (9 words)

What to Avoid with H2 Headings:

Avoid overloading your H2 headings with too many keywords or unnecessary content since this can make it look unnatural and hard to read. On the flip side, making your H2s too short or vague won’t do much to guide readers or search engines. The goal is to find a happy medium—make your H2 headings specific enough to introduce the topic clearly, while avoiding keyword stuffing or fluff that doesn’t add value.

How Long Should Your H3 Heading Be?

Now, let’s get to the H3 headings. These are even more specific than H2s, often introducing lists or breaking down detailed steps. Since they drill down into finer points, they don’t need to be super long.

Why Shorter H3s Work Best

Nobody likes being overwhelmed with too many words, right? H3s often introduce more granular details, so brevity is key. A shorter H3 makes it easier for users to scan your content and for search engines to understand the topic at a glance. Keep in mind that H3 waterfalls of your H2, so if you’ve done a good job with your H2 then H3 to be kept shorter.

Examples of Effective H3 Headings:

1. "Tips for Writing H1 Tags" (5 words)
2. "Best Practices for Header Tags" (5 words)

What to Avoid with H3 Headings:

Long, cluttered headings can distract from the main point and make the content harder to follow. H3s are meant to be focused and specific, delivering just enough detail to guide readers without overcomplicating things. A well-written H3 helps both readers and search engines understand the structure and relevance of your content, which enhances your overall experience.

Key Takeaways for H Heading Lengths

In a nutshell, here’s the breakdown of how long your headings should be:

• H1: Short, clear, and engaging. Your H1 should summarize the whole page.
• H2: A bit longer than your H1, H2 headings break down subtopics and help structure your content.
• H3: Gets into the finer details of your content. Keep them concise and specific.

Tips for Optimizing Your Headings for SEO:

1. Use Keywords Wisely:
   Keywords should flow naturally into your headings without feeling forced. Always think about the user’s experience first.
2. Maintain a Logical Flow:
   Follow a clear hierarchy with your headings (H1 > H2 > H3) so both readers and search engines can easily navigate your content.
3. Keep it Readable:
   Avoid long, bulky paragraphs by using clear and concise headings to break up the text.
4. Avoid Keyword Stuffing:
   Yes, keywords are important, but overloading them in your headings won’t do you any favors. Focus on readability and relevance.
5. Test and Adjust:
   Every audience is different, so it’s always a good idea to test your headings and see what resonates best with your readers.

Now You Know How Long Your H Headings Need To BE

Getting the length of your H1, H2, and H3 headings just right can make a big difference in how your content performs both with readers and search engines. By keeping your headings concise, informative, and relevant, you’ll create a better experience for your audience while giving your SEO a boost.

And if you're looking for the perfect SEO partner, Alterior Digital is here to help. Whether it’s fine-tuning your heading tags, optimizing your entire content strategy, or driving more traffic to your site, we’ve got the tools and expertise to make it happen. Contact us today to find out how our SEO services can help your business grow.