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Word count for a novel

A novel is 40,000 words or more, a novella 17,500 to 39,999, a novelette 7,500 to 17,499, and a short story under 7,500. Those are the lengths the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) uses for the Nebula Awards. They are the most widely used published definition, though publishers and competitions can set their own.

Word counterUpdated 2 min read

The four lengths

| Length | Words | |---|---| | Short story | fewer than 7,500 | | Novelette | 7,500 to 17,499 | | Novella | 17,500 to 39,999 | | Novel | 40,000 or more |

These come from the Nebula rules. Other awards, magazines and publishers may draw the lines in different places, so if you're entering a competition or submitting to a magazine, its rules win.

How long should my novel be?

Above 40,000 words, the right length depends on your genre and who you're submitting to. Agents and publishers usually publish the lengths they're looking for in their submission guidelines. Category romance lines, children's books and debut fantasy, for example, each have their own expectations. Read the guidelines for the agents or imprints on your list rather than relying on a general figure.

If you're self-publishing, no one sets a limit, but your printing cost and price rise with the page count. Use the word count to page count calculator for a rough idea of pages.

Short stories and novellas

Short story markets nearly always state a maximum length, and many state a minimum. Check before you submit: a 9,000-word story is a novelette under the SFWA's definition and may be too long for a short story slot.

Counting your manuscript

Word processors count as you type: see how to find the count in Microsoft Word or Pages. To check one chapter or scene, paste it into the counter on this page, which also shows reading time.

Word counter

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Questions

How many words is a novel?

40,000 or more, by the SFWA's definition for the Nebula Awards. Many publishers expect more, depending on genre.

How many words is a novella?

At least 17,500 and fewer than 40,000, by the SFWA's definition.

Is 20,000 words a novella or a short story?

A novella. The SFWA counts 17,500 to 39,999 words as a novella and under 7,500 as a short story.

Is a 50,000-word novel too short?

It's a novel by the SFWA's definition. Whether it suits a publisher depends on the genre, so check their submission guidelines.