Author Tools
Book Word Count Calculator
Paste your manuscript or enter a word count to see your book length and which broad category it fits. Estimates are practical guides, not publishing rules.
Book Word Count Calculator
| Form | Word count range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Fiction | 70,000–100,000 | Most debut novels |
| Literary Fiction | 80,000–110,000 | Often longer |
| Mystery / Thriller | 70,000–90,000 | Paced, tight narrative |
| Romance | 50,000–100,000 | Category vs. single title |
| Science Fiction | 80,000–120,000 | Can run longer |
| Fantasy (Epic) | 100,000–150,000 | World-building adds length |
| Young Adult | 55,000–90,000 | Contemporary vs. genre |
| Middle Grade | 25,000–50,000 | Ages 8–12 |
| Novella | 20,000–40,000 | Between short story and novel |
| Short Story | 1,000–7,500 | Varies widely by publication |
| Flash Fiction | 100–1,000 | Some markets go up to 1500 |
Check your manuscript:
Processed in your browser. Not stored.
These are typical ranges based on publishing industry conventions. Actual requirements vary by publisher, agent, genre and market. Always check individual submission guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Tools
Novel Word Count Guide
Check your manuscript word count against broad category ranges for short stories, novellas, novel…
Manuscript Page Count Calculator
Estimate manuscript pages from word count
Book Reading Time Calculator
Estimate how long a book or manuscript takes to read
Novella Word Count Checker
Check the word count of your novella