How long should your novel be?
Every genre carries a word-count range readers and publishers expect. Pick yours to see the typical range, and enter your word count to check whether you’re short, in range, or long.
These ranges are industry rules of thumb, not hard limits — but for a debut especially, landing near the norm makes a book easier to sell and to read.
Typical range
90k–120k words
In range
Right in the expected range for fantasy.
Key takeaways
- Word-count expectations vary widely by genre — there is no single right length for a novel.
- Adult fantasy and science fiction typically run 90,000–120,000 words; epic fantasy often more.
- Romance commonly runs 50,000–90,000; thrillers 80,000–100,000; young adult 50,000–80,000.
- Debut authors are usually safest landing near the norm; very long first novels are a harder sell.
- These are guidelines, not rules — a great book in the right range still has to be a great book.
How it works
The mechanics behind the numbers
Pick your genre
Choose the genre your book is written for — readers shop and judge length by it.
Enter your word count
Add your manuscript’s current length.
Check the verdict
See whether you’re short, in range, or long for the genre, with a note on what that means.
Questions
Frequently asked
- How long should a novel be?
- It depends on the genre. Most adult novels run between 70,000 and 120,000 words. Fantasy and science fiction sit at the higher end, romance and young adult lower. Pick your genre in the tool to see its typical range.
- How many words are in a fantasy novel?
- Adult fantasy typically runs 90,000–120,000 words, and epic or high fantasy often 120,000–200,000. The scope of the genre supports longer books, but a debut is usually safer nearer the lower end.
- Is my novel too long?
- Compare it to the range for your genre. Significantly above the upper end can make a book harder to sell and to pace, especially for a first novel — though epics and established authors stretch the rules. The tool flags where you land.
- What word count should a first novel be?
- For a debut, landing within the standard range for your genre is the safest bet — it signals you know the market and keeps the book readable. Aim for the middle of the range shown for your genre.
What this page does not claim
- The ranges are industry norms and rules of thumb, not hard limits or guarantees.
- Genres, subgenres, and individual books vary; established authors and epics routinely exceed the ranges.
- Hitting the right word count does not make a book good — it only makes the length unremarkable.
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.
Right length, right genre. Now write it.
No card. Your first chapter is free to write and publish.