The average novel is 70,000 to 100,000 words. But that number shifts significantly depending on genre, audience, and whether you are a debut or established author. Fantasy epics regularly exceed 120,000 words, while romance novels often land closer to 80,000. Knowing the right target before you start writing can save you from massive rewrites later.
Novel Word Count by Genre
Publishers and literary agents have clear expectations for each genre. Submitting a manuscript that is significantly outside the expected range can hurt your chances, even if the writing is strong.
| Genre | Word Count Range | Sweet Spot |
|---|---|---|
| Literary Fiction | 80,000–110,000 | 90,000 |
| Mystery / Thriller | 70,000–90,000 | 80,000 |
| Romance | 70,000–100,000 | 85,000 |
| Science Fiction | 90,000–120,000 | 100,000 |
| Fantasy (Adult) | 100,000–120,000 | 110,000 |
| Epic Fantasy | 120,000–180,000 | 150,000 |
| Young Adult (YA) | 55,000–90,000 | 75,000 |
| Middle Grade | 20,000–55,000 | 40,000 |
| Children's (Chapter Books) | 10,000–30,000 | 20,000 |
| Horror | 70,000–100,000 | 80,000 |
Novel vs. Novella vs. Short Story
Understanding the distinctions between fiction formats helps you set realistic targets and choose the right publishing path.
| Format | Word Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Fiction | Under 1,000 | Ultra-short stories |
| Short Story | 1,000–7,500 | Magazines, anthologies |
| Novelette | 7,500–17,500 | Between short story and novella |
| Novella | 17,500–40,000 | Self-publishing friendly |
| Novel | 40,000+ | Traditional publishing standard |
How Many Pages Is a Novel?
A printed novel averages about 250–300 words per page. Here is how common word counts translate to pages:
| Word Count | Printed Pages | Reading Time |
|---|---|---|
| 50,000 words | ~200 pages | ~3.5 hours |
| 70,000 words | ~280 pages | ~4.5 hours |
| 90,000 words | ~360 pages | ~6 hours |
| 100,000 words | ~400 pages | ~6.5 hours |
| 120,000 words | ~480 pages | ~8 hours |
| 150,000 words | ~600 pages | ~10 hours |
Reading time is estimated at 250 words per minute. Use our Reading Time Calculator to estimate how long your manuscript takes to read.
Famous Novels and Their Word Counts
Looking at published novels can give you a useful benchmark for your genre:
The Great Gatsby
Literary Fiction
The Hunger Games
YA Dystopia
Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone
Middle Grade / Fantasy
The Da Vinci Code
Thriller
A Game of Thrones
Epic Fantasy
Gone with the Wind
Historical Fiction
Twilight
YA Romance
The Fellowship of the Ring
Epic Fantasy
Why Word Count Matters to Publishers
Literary agents and publishers use word count as a quick filter. Here is why it matters:
- Printing costs: Longer books cost more to print and bind. Publishers factor this into their profitability calculations.
- Market expectations: Readers have genre expectations. A 40,000-word thriller feels unfinished; a 200,000-word romance is excessive.
- Debut risk: First-time authors are considered higher risk. An unusually long or short manuscript signals inexperience.
- Pacing indicator: Word count gives agents a rough sense of whether the story can sustain its length. Oversized books often mean padding; undersized books often mean underdeveloped plots.
Tips for Hitting Your Target Word Count
- Outline before you write: A structured outline helps you distribute your story across the right number of scenes and chapters to hit your target naturally.
- Track your daily progress: Use a word counter to see how many words you have written and calculate how many remain.
- Write first, cut second: Most authors overshoot their first draft. It is far easier to cut 15,000 words than to add them during revision.
- Do not pad: Adding scenes purely to hit a word count weakens the manuscript. Every scene should serve a purpose — character development, plot progression, or theme.
- Subplot strategically: If you are under your target, a well-developed subplot is a legitimate way to add depth and word count simultaneously.
How Many Words Per Chapter?
Most novels have chapters ranging from 1,500 to 5,000 words, with an average around 3,000–4,000 words. In an 80,000-word novel, that works out to roughly 20–25 chapters. Genre influences this significantly:
Thriller
1,500–2,500 words
Short chapters drive pace
Standard Fiction
3,000–4,000 words
Most common range
Literary Fiction
4,000–6,000 words
Longer, deeper chapters
Track your novel's word count as you write.
Open Word CounterA typical novel is 70,000–100,000 words. This is the standard range most publishers expect for adult fiction. Debut authors in particular are advised to stay within this range to maximize their chances of getting published.
A short novel, also called a novella, is typically 20,000–40,000 words. Anything below 20,000 words is generally classified as a novelette or short story, while anything above 40,000 words is considered a full novel by most publishers.
Fantasy novels are typically 100,000–120,000 words because the genre requires world-building, lore, and complex storylines. Epic fantasy can exceed 150,000 words, but debut authors are usually advised to keep their first fantasy novel under 120,000 words.
Writing a novel typically takes 6 months to 2 years depending on the author's pace. At 1,000 words per day, an 80,000-word first draft takes about 80 days of writing. Most authors do not write every day, which extends the timeline significantly.
A 70,000-word novel is approximately 280 pages in a standard printed book format (250 words per page). As a manuscript (double-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman), the same 70,000 words would be around 280 pages.
Yes, 50,000 words is the minimum threshold for a novel according to NaNoWriMo guidelines, and some published novels fall in this range — particularly category romance and cozy mysteries. However, most mainstream publishers consider 70,000 words the true floor for adult fiction.