Writing pace calculator
Set a target length, what you’ve already written, and how many days you have. The calculator gives you the daily word count you need to finish on time — the single most useful number for actually getting a draft done.
Your daily target is the words remaining divided by the days left. A consistent daily pace beats occasional binges almost every time.
Words per day
889 / day
- Per week
- 6,223 words
- Words remaining
- 80,000
- Writing days
- 90
Key takeaways
- Daily target = (target word count − words already written) ÷ days remaining.
- A 50,000-word draft in 30 days is about 1,667 words a day.
- A typical 80,000-word novel at 1,000 words a day takes roughly 80 writing days.
- Consistency beats intensity — a steady daily pace finishes more drafts than weekend marathons.
- Build in buffer days; almost everyone misses a session or two.
How it works
The mechanics behind the numbers
Set your target
Enter the length you’re aiming for — see the word-count-by-genre tool if you’re unsure.
Enter progress and time
Add the words you’ve written and how many days you have to finish.
Hit the daily number
The calculator gives your words per day and per week. Hit the daily number and the deadline takes care of itself.
Questions
Frequently asked
- How many words a day should I write to finish a novel?
- It depends on your target and deadline. The daily number is the words you have left divided by the days you have. As a benchmark, 50,000 words in 30 days is about 1,667 words a day, and 80,000 words in 90 days is under 900 a day.
- How long does it take to write a novel?
- At 1,000 words a day, an 80,000-word first draft takes about 80 writing days. The calculator works it the other way too: enter your deadline and it tells you the daily pace required.
- How many words per day for a novel in a month?
- The traditional 50,000-word month works out to about 1,667 words a day. Enter 50,000 over 30 days to see it, or adjust for your own target and timeframe.
- Is it better to write a lot occasionally or a little every day?
- For most writers, a steady daily pace finishes more drafts than occasional binges — it builds momentum and keeps the story in your head. Set a daily number you can sustain and protect it.
What this page does not claim
- The daily target is arithmetic from your inputs, not a promise that the writing will be easy.
- It does not account for research, planning, or revision time — it measures drafting pace.
- Sustainable pace varies by writer; the right number is the one you can actually keep.
Related
Author earnings calculator
Model reads, unlocks, and the 70% split.
Book title generator
SoonTitle and subtitle options.
Character name generator
SoonNames that fit the world.
Reading time calculator
Turn a word count into reading time, pages, and chapters.
Know your number. Start drafting.
No card. Your first chapter is free to write and publish.