How Many Words in a Novel: Complete Guide

How long should your book be? It’s a deceptively simple question that trips up more writers than you’d think. Whether crafting a fast-paced thriller, a sweeping fantasy, or a heartfelt memoir, the ideal word count isn’t just about page numbers—it’s about reader expectations, publishing standards, and the type of story you want to tell.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but understanding standard word count ranges can save you from major rewrites. It helps you outline and avoid the dreaded “is this too short?” spiral when you reach the final chapter.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how many words:

• Short Story: under 7,500 words
• Novelette: 7,500 to 20,000 words
• Novella: 20,000 to 50,000 words
• Novel: 70,000 to +100,000 words

Advice: While knowing the average word count is good, don’t overthink it. Focus on writing your draft first, and consider the word count later.

Word Count by Book Type

Each type of book has its standard range, shaped by reader expectations, storytelling structure, and publishing norms. Here’s what you need to know about each format.

Short Story

Typical Range: Under 7,500 words 

Short stories focus on one key moment, character, or idea. They are often published in anthologies or literary magazines. Every word must carry weight, and the resolution is usually quick and tight.

The limited word count demands conciseness and precision. A successful short story doesn’t aim to replicate the complexity of a novel—it zooms in on a single emotional beat or conflict. With no room for subplots or multiple character arcs, short stories rely on implication, theme, and chosen details.

The beginning must grip the reader instantly, and the ending should resonate without lengthy explanation. If your story feels too thin or too broad for the form, adjusting the word count might reveal whether it’s better suited as a flash piece, a novelette, or something longer.

Examples:

• The Lottery by Shirley Jackson – ~3,400 words
• Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut – ~2,200 words
• A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor – ~6,500 words

Novelette

Typical Range: 7,500 to 20,000 words 

Novelettes offer more breathing room than a short story but require focus and efficiency. They strike a unique balance—long enough to explore a deeper character arc or a more layered premise, but short enough to keep a tight narrative. In a novelette, there’s space to introduce supporting characters, expand on world-building, or present a twist that wouldn’t fit within a flash fiction or short story format.

The word count allows for more descriptive language and pacing variation, making it ideal for science fiction, fantasy, or horror genres. However, it still lacks the narrative width of a novella, so subplots are typically minimal or nonexistent.

Examples:

• The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss – ~18,000 words
• The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami – ~16,000 words
• Coraline by Neil Gaiman – ~19,000 words

Novella

Typical Range: 20,000 to 50,000 words 

With a word count that supports a clear narrative arc, novellas offer enough room to develop characters, explore themes, and build a satisfying plot—without the sprawl of a longer novel. They often focus on a single conflict or transformation, keeping the cast small and the pacing steady.

This format is handy when the story you want to tell has too much complexity for a short story, but not enough to sustain a novel. Novellas can take creative risks with structure or point of view, and because of their shorter length, they’re great for binge-reading or digital-first publishing platforms. They’ve also become increasingly popular in genres like speculative fiction and literary fiction, where focus and atmosphere matter as much as plot.

Writers need to be intentional with every chapter. There’s just enough space to create momentum but not enough to meander. When done well, novellas deliver a powerful emotional or thematic punch—without overstaying their welcome.

Examples:

• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck – ~30,000 words
• The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka – ~21,000 words
• Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote – ~26,000 words

Novel

Typical Range: 70,000 to +100,000 words 

Novels are the most versatile and widely recognized book format. Authors can develop intricate plots, build emotionally resonant character arcs, and weave in subplots that enrich the main story. The average length allows for exploration into a fictional world, a complex relationship, or an overarching theme.

Because novels cover a wide range of genres and storytelling styles, the word count flexibility matters. Contemporary fiction and romance often stay within the 70,000–90,000 word range for pace and accessibility, while fantasy and historical fiction stretch beyond 100,000 to accommodate world-building and historical detail. For literary fiction, the prose and internal character development sometimes precede action, influencing length.

The key to managing a novel-length work is structure. Clear act breaks, well-paced chapters, and well-developed character motivations help keep readers engaged over hundreds of pages.

While this range is typical for traditionally published works, plenty of successful novels fall outside it, the story’s needs should always come first. Understanding industry norms guides your revision process and helps you plan a story.

Examples:

• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – ~73,000 words
• A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman – ~87,000 words
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – ~130,000 words

Word Count Fun Fact #1: Did you know that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix clocks in at around 257,000 words? That’s longer than The Hobbit and The Great Gatsby combined—twice over. While Harry Potter books break all the “ideal” word count rules, they still became global bestsellers. Moral of the story? Length becomes less important if the pacing is strong and you can hook the reader.

Short Story Collection

Typical Range: 40,000 to 70,000 words total 

Short story collections combine multiple standalone narratives, often tied together by a unifying theme, tone, or setting. While each story within the collection is typically under 7,500 words, the overall word count varies depending on the number and length of stories included.

Because each story is self-contained, word count flexibility allows the author to experiment with form, voice, and subject matter. Collections are often showcases of creative range, and the word count gives authors room to blend literary, speculative, and character-driven stories in one volume.

In traditional publishing, collections are often between 150 and 250 printed pages shorter than novels. For indie or digital-first authors, shorter collections also work well for readers who enjoy digestible, episodic content.

Examples:

• Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri – ~63,000 words
• Dubliners by James Joyce – ~67,000 words
• Tenth of December by George Saunders – ~60,000 words

Word Count Fun Fact #2: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy contains over 587,000 words—more than six standard novels combined. Meanwhile, The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway tells a complete, Pulitzer Prize-winning story in just ~27,000 words. Proof that scale and simplicity both have their place.

Word Count by Genre

Now that we have a general idea, let’s see how many words the most popular fiction genres typically have.

Historical Fiction

Typical Range: 90,000 to +110,000 words

Historical fiction demands a higher word count to do justice to its setting and context. Writers aren’t just telling a story—they’re recreating a period, which means integrating real-world events, social norms, and historically accurate details. This kind of immersive storytelling takes space, so books in this genre often exceed the typical novel range.

A shorter historical novel may focus on a single event or relationship within a historical backdrop. At the same time, longer works can span decades, include multiple perspectives, or weave historical and fictional timelines together. However, regardless of length, accuracy and atmosphere are key.

Pacing is especially important—too much detail can bog down the story, while too little can make it feel underdeveloped. Most historical fiction writers aim for a steady rhythm that lets readers absorb the era through character action and dialogue.

Examples:

• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – ~150,000 words
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – ~118,000 words
• The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett – ~400,000 words

Science Fiction

Typical Range: 85,000 to 110,000 words

Science fiction intersects imagination and speculation, requiring a higher word count to establish futuristic settings, complex technologies, and thought-provoking ideas. Whether it’s space travel, artificial intelligence, or time manipulation, sci-fi authors need room to explore concepts in a believable, grounded, and consistent way.

A leaner sci-fi novel might focus on a single technological conflict or a tight survival narrative. At the same time, longer books dive into multi-layered plots, parallel worlds, or socio-political allegories. The more complex the premise, the more space the story requires.

But just like in other genres, balance matters—excessive exposition can stall momentum, while insufficient setup can make the world feel hollow.

Many successful science fiction novels use their extra word count to blend action with deeper questions about humanity, ethics, and progress. Readers expect tension, but they also crave intellectual stimulation.

Examples:

• Dune by Frank Herbert – ~185,000 words
• Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card – ~100,000 words
• The Martian by Andy Weir – ~104,000 words

Thriller/Crime Fiction

Typical Range: 70,000 to 90,000 words

Thrillers and crime novels are all about momentum. The word count is tighter than fantasy or historical fiction, with most stories falling between 70,000 and 90,000 words. This range supports a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers turning the pages while allowing space to build suspense, introduce red herrings, and develop plot twists.

The story needs to move quickly without feeling rushed, which means structuring chapters, cliffhangers, and revelations. A lean thriller often means shorter chapters, rapid-fire scenes, and minimal internal monologue. In contrast, a longer crime novel might include multiple perspectives, subplots, or a more gradual buildup.

Too much length can sap the intensity, while too little can leave character motivations or plot threads underdeveloped.

Examples:

• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – ~83,000 words
• Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn – ~80,000 words
• Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson – ~88,000 words

Fantasy

Typical Range: 90,000 to 250,000 words

Fantasy is one of the most word-count-intensive genres because it requires building an entire world from scratch. These stories feature large casts, multi-threaded plots, and immersive settings, pushing the genre beyond the average novel length. While 90,000 to 120,000 words is standard, epic fantasy frequently exceeds that range, especially in series form.

Debut authors in fantasy are generally advised to stay closer to the lower end of the range unless the manuscript justifies the length. Serialized formats, such as trilogies or multi-book sagas, also make managing high word counts across installments easier.

Examples:

• The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss – ~250,000 words
• A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin – ~298,000 words
• Eragon by Christopher Paolini – ~157,000 words

Young Adult Fiction (YA)

Typical Range: 50,000 to 100,000 words

YA fiction serves a wide age range—from early teens to older young adults—and the word count often reflects the diversity of its readership. Contemporary YA novels tend to fall on the lower end (around 50,000–70,000 words). Meanwhile, YA fantasy, dystopian, or sci-fi can extend toward or beyond 85,000 words to support more expansive world-building and higher-stakes plots.

Word count in young adult novels isn’t just about plot complexity—it’s also tied to pacing and tone. YA readers expect emotionally engaging stories that are easy to get immersed in, with relatively quick chapter progression and strong character voices.

The best YA books use their word count efficiently—developing characters readers can root for, delivering a satisfying emotional arc, and maintaining momentum throughout. Since many YA books are part of series, authors also use the flexibility in word count to plan future story development beyond a single title.

Examples:

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – ~67,000 words
• Divergent by Veronica Roth – ~105,000 words
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – ~99,000 words

Memoir

Typical Range: 60,000 to 90,000 words 

Memoirs blend personal storytelling with narrative structure, aiming to convey truth through a specific lens or life experience. Unlike autobiographies, which chronicle an entire life, memoirs usually focus on a specific period, theme, or event.

The challenge in memoir writing is balancing introspection with narrative drive. Readers expect a story that reads like fiction, with pacing, tension, and emotional payoff. The ideal length supports a strong narrative arc while preserving the emotional authenticity that defines the genre.

Debut memoirists especially benefit from staying within the 60,000 to 80,000-word range, which is considered both readable and publishable. However, the word count depends on the depth and scope of the covered life events. So don’t be surprised if you read a memoir that exceeds the typical word count.

Examples:

• Educated by Tara Westover – ~80,000 words
• When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi – ~65,000 words
• Becoming by Michelle Obama – ~160,000 words

Non-Fiction Book (Self-Help, Business, Personal Development) 

Typical Range: 50,000 to 80,000 words 

Clarity and utility are more important than storytelling in nonfiction genres like self-help, business, and personal development. The ideal word count gives authors enough space to share frameworks, research, real-life examples, and actionable insights—without overwhelming or losing the reader’s attention. Most readers in these categories seek practical guidance, so the content must be well-organized and easy to digest.

The word count plays into marketing and positioning. Readers are likelier to finish, review, and recommend a tight, well-paced nonfiction book. Whether you’re writing a how-to guide, leadership book, or motivational roadmap, aim to serve the reader’s goal as efficiently as possible.

Examples:

• Atomic Habits by James Clear – ~70,000 words
• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson – ~55,000 words
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek – ~75,000 words

Advice: After learning about word count, check out our article on how to write an entire novel. And remember: Start writing first. Word count is a guide, not a rule. You can always revise later.

Why Word Count Matters

Here are some reasons why word count matters.

1. It Shapes Reader Expectations

Readers have a general sense of how long a book “should” be—especially within a genre. A romance novel that’s 40,000 words might feel rushed, while a 200,000-word thriller could lose its momentum. Staying within expected ranges helps your book feel complete and familiar in the best way.

2. It Impacts Your Story Structure

Pacing, chapter flow, and plot arcs are easier to manage when writing toward a defined length. Without a rough word count target, you risk overwriting—or under-developing—key parts of your story.

3. It Influences Publishing Decisions

Agents and editors use word count as a quick quality check. Manuscripts that fall far outside standard ranges (especially for first-time authors) may be passed over, no matter how good the writing is. Staying within expected limits gives your submission a better shot at serious consideration.

4. It Affects Production and Pricing

Longer books cost more to print and produce—whether it’s a paperback, hardcover, or audiobook. That affects pricing, profits, and your book’s position in the market. Word count also impacts design elements like page layout and cover spine width.

Advice: Before moving forward, our Discord community recently discussed catching readers’ attention in one short paragraph. Check the webinar video and join Discord for similar content.

How to Track Word Count as You Write

Tracking your word count isn’t just about hitting a number—it’s a great way to stay motivated and on schedule. Whether writing your first draft or revising your fifth, monitoring your progress helps you set realistic goals, identify pacing issues early, and avoid last-minute overwhelm. It also gives you a sense of momentum.

Here’s how to do it well—without letting the numbers take over your creativity.

1. Set a Target Word Count from the Start

Estimate your book’s ideal length based on its genre, format, and audience (see earlier sections if unsure). Then, divide that total into manageable milestones:

• Break it down by chapter or scene.
• Set daily or weekly goals based on your writing schedule.
• Adjust as needed—life happens, and so does creative flow.

Finally, if you end up breaking the ceiling, don’t worry. If you end up saying everything you need to say in fewer words, don’t worry. The goal is to write the book you want, not to meet the word count.

2. Use the Right Tools to Track Your Progress

Manual tracking works, but it’s not always efficient. The right software can make a huge difference:

• Squibler allows you to set your target word count and tracks your progress as you write. It even breaks your project into scenes or chapters so you can visualize how each piece contributes to the whole.
• Other tools like Google Docs or Microsoft Word have basic word counters, but you’ll need to do more structuring yourself.

3. Create Visual Goals for Motivation

Seeing your progress in real-time can be surprisingly motivating:

• Use word count graphs or progress bars.
• Keep a calendar or journal to log your daily word output.
• Reward yourself when you hit key milestones (finish a chapter? That’s coffee and a cookie territory).

4. Don’t Let the Numbers Drive the Story

While tracking helps you stay on course, remember: Quality matters more than hitting a daily quota.

• If a scene needs more room, give it space.
• If something drags, cut it without guilt.
• Word count is a tool, not the finish line.

5. Revise with Word Count in Mind

During revisions, check each chapter’s length to spot pacing issues. Overlong chapters may need trimming, while underdeveloped sections might need fleshing out. A consistent word flow keeps readers engaged—and editors happy.

FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions about how many words are in an average book.

Why does word count matter when writing a book?

Word count matters because it helps set reader expectations and aligns your manuscript with industry standards. Publishers and agents often consider word count a key factor in determining a book’s marketability. An appropriate length signals professionalism and genre awareness, which can be especially important when submitting a manuscript.

How many words are in adult fiction?

Adult fiction typically ranges between 70,000 and 100,000 words. However, some genres within adult fiction, such as historical or epic fantasy, may trend longer. Staying within this range increases the likelihood of your book being considered by traditional publishers.

How long should a first novel be?

Aiming for 80,000 to 90,000 words is a safe and recommended range for a first novel. This word count is manageable for new authors and aligns with industry expectations, giving your manuscript a better chance of being well-received.

What defines a novel’s word count?

A novel’s word count generally starts at around 40,000 words, but most full-length novels are at least 60,000. The exact count can vary by genre and target audience, but exceeding or falling short of typical ranges may impact how the book is perceived and marketed.

How many pages are typically in a book?

The number of pages in a book can vary widely depending on the genre, formatting, and word count. On average, a standard novel might contain 250 to 400 pages. Nonfiction books can range from 150 to 300 pages, though some may be longer depending on the subject.

How does women’s fiction differ from other genres?

Women’s fiction typically focuses on a female protagonist’s emotional journey and personal growth. It explores themes such as relationships, identity, and life transitions. Unlike romance, which centers on a romantic resolution, women’s fiction delves into broader life issues and character development. This genre resonates with readers seeking relatable, character-driven stories that often reflect real-life experiences.

How many words in a novel or non-fiction?

Though some genres run longer, most novels range from 70,000 to 100,000 words. Aim for 50,000 to 80,000 words for non-fiction, depending on the topic and depth. Staying within these ranges helps meet reader and publisher expectations.

Josh Fechter

Josh is the founder and CEO of Squibler. He's authored several best-selling books and created one of the largest communities of writers online.