Is want a short a vowel or a long a vowel?

Answer 1

The terms long and short do not accurately describe English vowels. The sound in want is neither the short A of "at" nor the long A of "ate."

It can be any one of three pronunciations:

-- short O as in font

-- caret O as in haunt

-- short U as in bunt

Answer 2

The word "want" has a short a vowel sound. It is typically pronounced as /wɒnt/ with a short 'a' sound like in "cat."