- June 20, 2025
- by Kalam Kagaz
- book publishing, Ghost writing
How long is a novel, really? If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How many words is the average novel?” you’re not alone. Whether you’re a writer aiming for traditional publishing or just curious about your favorite books, understanding novel word counts is key. A novel isn’t just about the story—it’s also about meeting reader expectations, industry standards, and page counts.
Historically, novel lengths have fluctuated. In the Victorian era, books were often serialized and very long (think War and Peace or Les Misérables). In contrast, many modern novels aim for efficiency—between 70,000 to 100,000 words is a sweet spot for most genres.
Average Word Count for a Novel by Genre
Different genres come with different expectations. Here’s how novel lengths typically break down:
Romance
Average word count: 70,000–90,000 words
Harlequin and category romances tend to be shorter, often 50,000–70,000.
Thriller
Average word count: 80,000–100,000 words
Pacing is essential, so thrillers tend to keep things tight and page-turning.
Fantasy and Sci-Fi
Average word count: 100,000–130,000 words
World-building demands more space. Epics like Game of Thrones can exceed 150,000 words.
Literary Fiction
Average word count: 80,000–100,000 words
Focused more on prose and character than plot length.
Young Adult (YA)
Average word count: 50,000–80,000 words
Shorter than adult fiction, often with faster pacing.
How Word Count Influences Publishing
Word count isn’t just a number—it affects how your book is received by publishers, agents, and readers.
Traditional Publishing: Publishers usually prefer debut novels to be under 100,000 words.
Self-Publishing: Offers more freedom, but audience expectations still apply.
Editor Preferences: Editors may cut long manuscripts down or ask for expansions to meet genre norms.
How Many Words in a Typical Novel?
Let’s get specific:
| Book Title | Author | Word Count |
|---|---|---|
| The Great Gatsby | F. Scott Fitzgerald | ~47,000 words |
| 1984 | George Orwell | ~88,000 words |
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone | J.K. Rowling | ~77,000 words |
| The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins | ~99,750 words |
| The Hobbit | J.R.R. Tolkien | ~95,000 words |
Typical Range: 70,000–100,000 words for most mainstream novels.
How Many Pages Is the Average Novel?
Page count varies with formatting, but here’s a rough conversion:
250–300 words per page
80,000 words ÷ 250 words/page ≈ 320 pages
So, a standard novel of 80,000 words is around 300–320 pages in paperback format.
How Many Words Per Page in a Novel?
Let’s break it down:
| Format | Words Per Page |
|---|---|
| Paperback (5×8 in) | 250–300 |
| Hardcover | 300–350 |
| E-Book (variable fonts) | 200–300 |
| Manuscript (12pt, double-spaced) | 250 |
Font, spacing, and trim size all affect the final page count.
Short Novels vs. Long Novels Word Count
Short Novels & Novellas
Word count: 20,000–50,000
Examples: Animal Farm (~30,000 words)
Long Novels & Epics
Word count: 120,000+
Examples: It by Stephen King (~445,000 words)
Shorter novels are more accessible, while long novels allow for expansive storytelling.
Genre-Specific Case Studies
Mystery
Tightly plotted, often 70,000–90,000 words.
Science Fiction
Often expands to 100,000–130,000 words to accommodate detailed world-building.
Children’s Books and YA Novels Word Count
| Category | Age Range | Word Count |
|---|---|---|
| Picture Book | 3–7 years | 500–1,000 words |
| Early Reader | 6–8 years | 1,000–5,000 words |
| Middle Grade | 8–12 years | 20,000–50,000 words |
| YA Fiction | 12–18 years | 50,000–80,000 words |
Nonfiction vs. Fiction Word Counts
| Type | Average Word Count |
|---|---|
| Memoir | 60,000–90,000 |
| Self-help | 50,000–75,000 |
| Biography | 80,000–150,000 |
| Academic Text | 70,000–200,000 |
Nonfiction can vary widely based on depth and topic.
How Many Words Is Too Long or Too Short?
Too short: Below 50,000 may feel incomplete.
Too long: Above 120,000 for debuts may be seen as risky unless justified.
Stay within your genre’s norms unless you have a compelling reason not to.
How Many Pages Is 10,000 Words?
10,000 words ÷ 250 words/page = 40 pages
In standard format, 10,000 words equals about 35–40 pages.
In manuscript format (double-spaced), expect 40–45 pages.
How Many Pages Is 300 Words?
300 words = 1–1.5 pages depending on layout.
Perfect for blog posts, summaries, and flash fiction.
Writing Tips to Meet Your Word Count Goal
Set daily targets (e.g., 500–1,000 words/day).
Use chapter outlines to stay focused.
Avoid fluff: Don’t pad with filler just to hit a number.
Revise smartly: Cut excess and expand underdeveloped sections.
Tools to Calculate and Track Word Count
Scrivener – Ideal for large projects.
Google Docs & MS Word – Built-in word count tools.
Grammarly – Tracks readability and counts.
Hemingway App – Ensures concise writing.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts on How Long a Novel Should Be
So, how many words is the average novel? Most fall in the 70,000 to 100,000 word range, though genre, target audience, and style all play a role. Whether you’re a writer planning your manuscript or a reader curious about your favorite books, understanding word count helps frame expectations and set creative goals.
Just remember: quality always outweighs quantity. A tight 75,000-word novel can leave a bigger impact than a sprawling 150,000-word one that drags. Write with purpose—and edit with intention.
FAQs about Average Novel Word Counts
Q1: How many words is a novel minimum?
A: Most publishers consider 50,000 words the minimum length for a novel.
Q2: Is 70,000 words enough for a novel?
A: Yes, especially for genres like romance, mystery, and young adult fiction.
Q3: How long is a 100,000-word book?
A: Roughly 350–400 pages, depending on formatting.
Q4: How many chapters are in an average novel?
A: Typically 12–20 chapters, though it varies widely.
Q5: Can a novel be 40,000 words?
A: Technically a novella by industry standards, though still publishable.
Q6: What’s the ideal word count for self-publishing?
A: Between 70,000–90,000 words is a safe and flexible range.
