How many words is a novel? A novel typically contains 70,000 to 100,000 words, but the exact length depends on the genre, audience, and publishing goals. Some novels are shorter, while others can exceed 120,000 words.
Average Novel Word Count by Genre
| Genre | Word Count |
|---|---|
| Romance | 50,000–90,000 |
| Mystery/Thriller | 70,000–100,000 |
| Fantasy/Sci-Fi | 90,000–120,000 |
| Literary Fiction | 70,000–100,000 |
| Young Adult | 50,000–80,000 |
What Is Considered a Novel?
A novel is typically defined as a long-form work of fiction with a word count of at least 50,000 words. Anything shorter may be considered a novella or short story.
How Long Does It Take to Write a Novel?
Writing a novel can take anywhere from several months to a year or more, depending on writing speed and consistency.
Estimate Your Writing Progress
Use tools like the Word and Character Counter to track your writing progress and stay on target.
FAQ
What is the minimum word count for a novel? Most publishers consider 50,000 words the minimum for a novel.
Can a novel be 40,000 words? At 40,000 words, a book is usually considered a novella rather than a full novel.