It’s a question every writer—and many readers—ask: How many words is the average novel? Or perhaps you’re wondering how long is a novel really, and how many pages would your 10,000-word manuscript be? The answers depend on genre expectations, formatting standards, and even market preferences.
In this guide, we’ll explore:
- The standard word-count ranges across genres
- Conversion from word count to pages (e.g., 10,000 words, 300 words)
- Practical tips for planning, pacing, and editing to the ideal length
By the end, you’ll understand not just the numbers—but the why behind them—and feel equipped to shape your manuscript with confidence.
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Talk to a Writing Expert1. What Qualifies as a Novel?
The Baseline
Per the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (Nebula Awards), anything over 40,000 words qualifies as a novel. But while 40K might satisfy award criteria, it’s generally too short for adult publishing norms.
Industry Sweet Spot
Most adult novels fall between 70,000–100,000 words, with around 90,000 often considered the average target. Jane Friedman notes that 80K is ideal, under 60K is too short, and over 120K is often too long.
Authoritative Perspectives
- Writer’s Digest: “80K to 89,999 is 100% safe range…”
- Jane Smiley: typical novel length is 100–175K words
- No universal rule—context, genre, and storytelling depth guide length
2. Genre-by-Genre Novel Word Count Guide
Here’s a detailed breakdown, blending publisher criteria, writer advice, and community insights:
| Genre | Typical Word Count |
|---|---|
| Fantasy / Sci‑Fi | 90K–125K (epic: 150K–200K) |
| Mystery / Crime / Thriller | 70K–100K (fast-paced range) |
| Literary Fiction | 80K–120K (flexible, stylistic) |
| Historical Fiction | 80K–120K+ (world-building demands) |
| Romance | 50K–90K (category 50K–60K, mainstream 70K–90K) |
| Young Adult (YA) | 50K–80K (fantasy YA can reach 100K) |
| Middle Grade | 20K–50K |
| Nonfiction / Memoir | 50K–100K |
| Novella | 17K–40K |
Key Observations
- Epic genres (fantasy, historical) can justify longer lengths.
- Category romance and YA skew shorter, especially for beginners.
- Nonfiction and memoirs have broader flexibility, but market norms apply.
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Get Expert Writing Help3. Words Per Page: Manuscript vs. Print
Knowing typical words per page helps estimate the actual physical length of your manuscript.
Manuscript Formatting (Standard)
- Double-spaced, 12-pt font yields ~250 words/page.
- Single-spaced roughly doubles: ~500 words/page.
Published Books (6″ × 9″ printing)
- Common range: 250–350 words/page.
- Fantasy may run ~370–400 wpp due to denser layout.
Writer Insights
“In a published novel…300–400 words per page is typical”
“6‑inch hardbacks average ~400 wpp” — fantasy novel author
Use 250 wpp for conservative estimates; increase for more text-dense genres.
4. Word-to-Page Quick Conversions
Here’s how various word counts translate:
| Words | Manuscript (250 wpp) | Print Book (300 wpp) |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 | ~40 pages | ~33 pages |
| 50,000 | ~200 pages | ~167 pages |
| 80,000 | ~320 pages | ~267 pages |
| 100,000 | ~400 pages | ~333 pages |
| 150,000 | ~600 pages | ~500 pages |
| 300 words | ~1.2 manuscript pages | ~1 printed page |
- 10K words ≈ 40 manuscript pages, ~33 printed.
- 300 words ≈ 1 page in print; ~1.2 in double-spaced manuscript.
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Start Writing With Us5. Why Word Count Matters
Understanding word count isn’t just academic—it has real implications.
Market Expectations
- Agents and editors often filter by word count to match genre norms.
- Debut fantasy over 150K words may face rejection unless exceptional.
Story Structure & Pacing
- Short and punchy thriller: 70K–90K words feels tight and fast.
- Immersive fantasy epic: readers expect 100K+ chapters and world-building space.
Production Costs
- Longer books = more pages → more expensive to print, ship, and stock.
- Publishers consider per-page cost; writers should too .
6. Planning & Tracking Your Word Count
Starting on a manuscript? Here’s how to work smart:
A. Know Your Genre
Checklist:
- Compare recent novels in your space—use online tools or Goodreads to check word counts.
- Aim for the middle of that genre’s range.
B. Track Daily & Chapter Goals
- Use tools like Word or Scrivener for real-time tracking.
- Set 2K–3K words per chapter, or 300–400 words per page.
“J.K. Rowling’s HP1 is 77K—a good reference point.”
“Stephen King writes ~6 pages/day (~250 words/page)” → ~1,500 wpd
C. Adjust When Needed
- Under target? Deepen character arcs or add scenes.
- Over target? Trim side plots, tighten prose, remove repetitive dialogue .
D. Edit Proactively
- Use editing passes to refine. Cut adverbs, tighten phrasing, remove fluff .
- Ensure pacing remains smooth across chapters (10–20 chapters is typical)
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Finish My Book8. Practical Scenarios & Advice
Scenario: 50,000 Words
- Likely a novella or YA contemporary.
- Manuscript ~200 pages; printed ~167 pages.
- OK for short genres, but full-length adult debut may seem thin.
Scenario: 100,000 Words
- Solid adult novel—printed ~333 pages.
- Fits most publishing norms with room for plot and character development.
Scenario: 150,000+ Words
- Suited to epic fantasy/historical sagas.
- Printed ~500+ pages.
- Debut authors should ensure strong storytelling to justify length.
Final Takeaway
There’s no magical word count, but knowing genre norms, word-to-page conversions, and market expectations helps you write with strategic intent. Your target should be:
- 70K–100K for most adult fiction
- Genre exceptions apply (e.g., YA shorter, fantasy longer)
- ~250–350 words per page guides pacing and physical length
Your Next Steps
- Download a Word–Page tracker (spreadsheet with daily, chapter, and cumulative goals).
- Compare word counts of 3–5 recent books in your niche using tools like Kindle or Goodreads word estimate sites.
- Read my guide on trimming and line-editing—it includes smart strategies to shave 5–15% of unnecessary words.
So if you’re writing your first draft or planning a tight thriller, use this guide—and the numbers—to keep your manuscript on track.
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Each genre has its ideal length. We help tailor your book’s word count and storyline to meet publishing standards and reader expectations.
Speak to a Genre ExpertFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How many words is the average novel?
A: The average novel is usually between 70,000 and 100,000 words long. This is a range most traditional publishers and readers are comfortable with. If your book is in this range, it’s considered a full-length novel. Some genres, like romance or young adult, can be shorter (around 50,000–60,000 words), while epic fantasy or historical fiction can go longer (100,000–150,000+ words). But in general, 90,000 words is a safe and popular target.
Q2: How long is a novel in pages?
A: Most novels are about 300 to 400 pages long when printed. This depends on how many words are on each page, which can vary depending on font size, formatting, and trim size. On average, a book has 250 to 350 words per page, so if your novel has 90,000 words, it will likely be around 320 to 360 pages.
Q3: How many pages is 10,000 words?
A: That depends on the formatting: If you’re writing a manuscript in Word (double-spaced, 12-point font), 10,000 words would be about 40 pages. If it’s a printed book with around 300 words per page, it would be about 33 pages. So, it’s a short section—maybe a chapter or two in a longer novel.
Q4: How many words per page in a novel?
A: Printed novels typically have between 250 and 350 words per page. Books with smaller fonts and fewer breaks (like fantasy novels) may have closer to 350–400. Books with larger fonts or dialogue-heavy content might have 250 or even fewer. If you’re working on a manuscript, most people use 250 words per page as a safe estimate.
Q5: How many pages is 300 words?
A: 300 words is just a little more than one printed page. In a manuscript (double-spaced), it might take up a little over a page. In a book, especially one with lots of dialogue, 300 words would usually fill exactly one page.
Q6: What’s the average word count for a novel?
A: The average word count depends on the type of book, but for general adult fiction, it’s around 90,000 words. This gives authors enough space to build characters and a full story, but still keeps the book readable and market-friendly. Think of it like a movie with a good amount of plot, not too short, not too long.
Q7: How many words are in an average book?
A: An “average” book could mean many things—from nonfiction to memoirs or novels. But for novels specifically, the typical range is 70,000 to 100,000 words. For nonfiction books, especially business or self-help, the range might be 50,000 to 80,000 words.
Q8: How many words is a typical novel?
A: A typical novel is usually 80,000 to 100,000 words long. That length gives enough space for character development, subplots, and a satisfying ending. If you’re a first-time writer, staying within that range makes your book more appealing to agents and publishers.
