Welcome To Free Poetry Contests

2024 poetry contests that you can enter. We update our poetry contest listing every day. All poetry contests have cash prizes. Click the contests name to read the details on the contest.

Loop Poetry Contest

This poetry contest has a unique challenge. The word that finishes each line must be the first word in the next line. In addition, there is a requirement for rhymes.
Contest open for submissions.

One Line Poem

Write a poem that only has one line to enter this poetry contest. There are no other requirements. See an example in the contest announcement.
Poetry contest is open for entries.

What Is Love Poetry Contest

What is love? What is love to you. How does your relationship impact your love life. Share a free verse poem about it. Enter for a chance at the cash Prize.
Accepting entries.

No Rules Poetry Contest

Write a poem without any rules. You decide the format of your poem. You decide whether or not it has a rhyme. You also decide the topic. Cash Prize.
Open to enter.

Rhyming Poem

Write a poem that has a rhyme scheme. Your poem can be of any type. It can be about any subject. But there must be rhymes. Cash prize to the winner.
Contest open for submissions.
Free poetry contest is open.

5-7-5 Poem

Write a poem that only has three lines and follows the 1-5-7 syllable count to enter this poetry contest. You can write about anything just follow the syllable count.
This contest is open and accepting submissions.

Write A Haiku

Write a Haiku. This poem only has three lines and each line has a specific syllable count of 5-7-5. The first line has five syllables. The second line has 7. Final line has 5 again.
Contest open for submissions.

What do you like best about a Man

Write a poem about what makes him special. Why is he the one? All poetry formats welcomed including free form.
Contest open.

What do you like best about a Woman

Write about her. What makes her the one. What about her makes her so special to you. All forms of poetry welcomed for this poetry contest about that special someone.

3-6-9 Poem

A very short poem of only three lines. The first line can only have two syllables. The second has four. The third line has 2 syllables again. Enter your poem for a chance at the cash prize.
This poetry contest is open.

5-7-5 Poetry Writing

Write a poem that only has three lines to enter this poetry contest. Each line must have a specific syllable count.
Contest open for submissions.

Children's Poetry Contest

Write a poem for a child. Share a poem that will delight a child. Rhyming is required. Cash Prize!
Contest is open.

Share A Story In A Poem

Share a story but write it using a poem. That is the challenge of this contest. Some of the most famous poems for children told a story with a poem. Can you do it?
Poetry contest accepting new submissions.

Free Form Poetry Contest

Write a free verse poem. That's a poem with no set structure. No specific style. You decide the best way to write and format your poem.
Open for new submissions.

Six Word Poetry Contest

Write a poem using only six words. That is the challenge of this poetry contest with a cash prize.
Contest open for submissions.

Lune Poetry Contest

This poem only has three lines. A lune is a short poem that is fun to write and challenging too. Cash prize to the winner of this poetry contest.
Contest open for submissions.

Betrayal Poetry Competition

Share a poem on the topic of betrayal. Share how it has impacted you or a loved one. Cash prize.
Contest is open.

Acrostic Poetry Contest

An acrostic poem is a poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word. So start with a word and use each letter to start a new line in a poem. That is the challenge of this poetry contest.
This poetry contest is open.

Nonet Poetry Contest

Write a poem on any subject to enter this contest. Rhyming is not required. The only requirement is the syllable count for each line. The first line has nine syllables, the second line eight syllables, the third line seven syllables, etc...
This poetry contest is accepting new submissions.

Sonnet Poetry Contest

Write a sonnet poem. This poem has fourteen lines. It is written with a specific rhyme scheme called iambic pentameter. Make sure each line in your poem has 10 syllables.
Contest open for submissions.

Temptation Poetry Contest

Temptation is always there. You resist it - but how difficult is it to resist temptations in life? Share your poem on the topic of temptation.
Contest open. Entries accepted.

2-4-2 Poetry

A very short poem of only three lines. The first line can only have two syllables. The second has four. The third line has 2 syllables again. Enter your poem for a chance at the cash prize.
Contest open.

5-7-5 Poetry Contest

Write a poem that only has three lines to enter this poetry contest. Each line must have a specific syllable count.
Accepting submissions.

Minute

Write a minute poem to enter this poetry contest. It follows the "8,4,4,4" syllable count structure. Write your poem that follows the rules of this contest for your chance at the prize.
Contest open for submissions.

Four Line Poem

Write a four line poem. Each line in your poem must have a specific syllable count. The first line has 1 syllable, the second line has 5 syllables, the third line has 5 syllables, and the last line 9 syllables. Write about anything.
This poetry contest is open.

Free Verse Poetry Contest

No rules for this poetry contest. Write a poem that does not follow any set structure and enjoy a poem without the rules. Cash prize to the winner.
This free poetry contest is open.

5-7-5 Poem

Write a poem that only has three lines to enter this poetry contest. Each line must have a specific syllable count.
Contest open for submissions.

Faith Poetry Contest

Write a poem that shares your faith. How does your faith impact your life? How does your faith impact the decisions that you make. All poetry types are accepted for this poetry contest.
Another free poetry contest that is accepting submissions.

Haiku Poetry Contest

Write a Haiku. This poem only has three lines and each line has a specific syllable count of 5-7-5. The first line has five syllables. The second line has 7. Final line has 5 again.
Accepting new submissions.

3 Line Poetry Contest

Write a poem that has the syllable count of 5-7-5 or 5-7-7 that is addressed to a loved one.
Contest open for submissions.

I Can

Wrie a poem of any type that begins with the words specified in the contest announcement to enter this poetry contest.
Contest open for submissions.

Tanka Poetry Contest

Write a Tanka poem to enter this poetry. Tanka is a form of poetry with a specific syllable count. Follow that count to enter this contest.
This poetry contest is open and accepting new submissions.

15 Syllable Poem

Write a poem that only has 15 syllables to enter this poetry contest. It doesn't matter the type of poem you write - just have the right syllable count.
This free poetry contest is open for entries.

5 Line Poem

For this poetry contest the challenge is to write a 5 line poem. That's right - just three lines - and each line must rhyme. The winner of this contest will win a cash prize.
Contest open for submissions.

Rhyming Poetry Contest

Write a poem that has a rhyme scheme. Your poem can be of any type. It can be about any subject. But there must be rhymes. Cash prize to the winner.
Open and accepting new submissions.

Free Verse Poem

Write a poem of any type using any format. There are no rules about structure, syllable count or format. Write in your own style. Cash prize.
Open for new submissions.

5-7-5 Poetry

Write a poem that only has three lines to enter this poetry contest. Each line must have a specific syllable count.
This poetry contest is open.

ABC Poetry Contest

The ABC Poetry Contests challenges you to write a four line poem that uses the alphabet to specify the first letter of each line.
This is a free poetry contest and is open for new entries.

Cinquain Poetry

A cinquain poem is a poem follows a specific format. You must rhyme and format your poem as specified to enter this poetry contest with a cash prize.
Contest open for submissions.

3 Line Poetry Contest

Write a poem that only has three lines to enter this poetry contest. Each line must have a specific syllable count.
Contest open for submissions.

Love Poem Poetry Contest

Love poems have been known to win her over. Share a love poem for this poetry contest.
A free poetry contest that is open. Accepting submissions.

A poem about a Man

For this poetry contest share a poem about that special man that is or was in your life.
A free poetry contest that is open to enter. Accepting submissions with cash prizes.



Free Poetry Contests

We strive to provide you with a list of free poetry contests that you can enter. When entering free poetry competitions it is important to put your best foot forward. The first thing you should look at is the contest rules. Understand what the requrements are for every poetry contest that you enter. For example, if you are entering a rhyming poetry contest understand exactly what type of rhyme is required. There may be no requirement - just rhyme your poem. But sometimes contests require a specific type of rhyme.

Best Poetry Contests

The best poetry contests are contests that are clear on what is required from the author. Look for simple rules that specify exactly what the contest is looking for. Look for an example poem. If available, pay special attention to it as poetry competitions that have an example give you everything that you need to understand the requirements. Look for the rhyme, syllable and length requirements. Free entry poetry contests can attact a lot of authors so don't be one of the authors disqualified because you didn't pay attention to the rules!

Sharing Your Poem

We are happy to list so many free poetry contests with cash prizes. You may have noticed that the contests we list don't have crazy high prizes. Poetry competitions with big prizes should be your first warning sign that the contest is not legitimate. We only list poetry contest that are supported by legitimate and reliable companies. You can feel comfortable entering these contests, learning from the feedback you'll receive (most of these contests offer feedback for all entries). We are confident that these are the best poetry contests that you can enter.

Poetry Contests 2024

We have added a number of contests for 2024. The most popular contests this year are the short ones! So the 5-7-5 for example. That's a variation of the Haiku without the topic requirements (of nature). When you see "5-7-5" (or variations such as "2-4-2") that is referring to the syllable count. So a "5-7-5" rhyming poetry contest would require that the first line of your poem have five syllables. The second line will have seven. And the final line will have five again. Since it is a rhyming poetry contest your poem would also need to have a rhyme. Other contests that are popular for 2024 are short poems. They may not have a syllable requirement. But they require you to share a poem (which means the entire message of your poem) with a limited number of lines. So you'll seem requirements for poems with just three lines for example. You'll also find more detailed poetry contests such as Sonnet, Haiku and Minute. Don't be turned off by these poetry competitions. The poems are fun to write once you understand the structure and requirements. For more information on these poem types click here.