When I first decided to write seriously, one of the first things I Googled — probably while procrastinating actual writing — was:
“How long should a novel be?”
What followed was a rabbit hole of conflicting advice, vague numbers, and rules that didn’t seem to apply to what I was writing. Some sources said 60,000 words was too short. Others claimed 120,000 was too long. Then I stumbled into a forum argument about whether a novella “counts” as a real book. Honestly, I felt more confused than ever.
So if you’re in the same boat — trying to figure out what word count is expected for your genre, or how long your book should be to have a shot at getting published — here’s the guide I wish someone had handed me on day one.
💡 Why Word Count Matters (Even if You’re Not There Yet)
Let’s be clear: no one cares how long your first draft is — you just need to finish it.
But if you’re hoping to:
- Submit your novel to agents or publishers,
- Enter competitions,
- Self-publish to readers who expect a certain length,
- Or even just finish something that feels “complete,”
…then understanding industry expectations can help guide you, and avoid the heartbreak of writing 200,000 words for a market that wants 80,000.
✍️ A Guide to Word Counts by Type
🔦 Flash Fiction: Under 1,000 words
- A single moment. A twist. A gut punch.
- Think of it as a story told in a breath — often under 500 words for competitions.
Best for:
- Writing exercises, contests, Instagram-length fiction
📜 Short Story: 1,000–7,500 words
- Enough room to build character, conflict, and a payoff.
- Literary journals often look for 2,000–5,000 words as a sweet spot.
Tip: Stories over 6,000 words often have fewer submission options.
🧭 Novelette: 7,500–20,000 words
- The awkward middle child between a short story and a novella.
- Rarely published by mainstream publishers, but a favourite format in sci-fi, horror, and digital-first markets.
Best for:
- Experimental pieces, indie platforms, or serial fiction
📘 Novella: 20,000–50,000 words
- Tighter focus. Shorter timeline. Fewer subplots.
- Great for eBooks, self-publishing, or publisher imprints that cater to shorter works (especially romance, crime, or YA).
Examples:
Animal Farm, The Metamorphosis, Breakfast at Tiffany’s — all technically novellas.
📚 Novels: What Traditional Publishers Expect
Here’s where it gets important if you’re aiming to get traditionally published.
For first-time authors, agents and editors look for:
- A complete, polished manuscript
- Within a word count range appropriate to your genre
- That doesn’t require major trimming (or doubling)
Going significantly over or under the expected range can raise red flags — not because they’re rigid, but because it signals the writer may not fully understand the market yet.
🧾 Expected Word Counts by Genre (Debut Novels)
| Genre | Word Count Range | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Literary Fiction | 70,000–100,000 | Needs space to breathe, but not ramble |
| Romance | 50,000–90,000 | Shorter is fine, especially for category/series |
| Mystery/Thriller | 70,000–90,000 | Tight pacing and tension expected |
| Sci-Fi / Fantasy | 90,000–120,000 | Worldbuilding needs room — but over 120k is risky for debuts |
| Historical Fiction | 90,000–120,000 | Research-heavy, but still needs to feel accessible |
| YA (Young Adult) | 50,000–80,000 | Fast-paced, character-driven, shorter arcs |
| Middle Grade | 20,000–50,000 | For younger readers — clean, concise storytelling |
📌 General rule of thumb for debuts:
Stick between 70,000 and 90,000 words unless you have a strong reason not to.
🛠 But What If You’re Not There Yet?
That’s okay. Most writers overshoot or undershoot on their first draft. Word count can be shaped during edits. Just don’t let it paralyse you. Knowing your target is helpful — but finishing the story is the real milestone.
✨ Some Perspective…
- The Great Gatsby? About 47,000 words.
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone? Just over 76,000.
- Stephen King’s The Stand? Clocks in around 470,000… but unless your name is Stephen King, don’t do that as a debut.
🧭 Final Thought: Word Counts Are a Map — Not a Rulebook
Your book doesn’t need to hit a magic number. But understanding what’s expected can give you a clearer target, especially if you’re writing toward publication.
So whether you’re aiming for a tight little novella, an epic fantasy, or a short story for a local contest — let this be your cheat sheet. And remember:
You can always cut words. You can always add them.
But you can’t shape a story that doesn’t exist yet.
Keep writing — we’ll worry about the numbers together later.
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