Quick answer
Flash fiction is any prose story under 1,000 words. The category includes multiple subcategories defined by stricter word limits.
- • Drabble: exactly 100 words
- • Microfiction: under 300 words
- • Sudden fiction: under 750 words
- • Flash fiction: under 1,000 words (umbrella term)
Flash fiction is the shortest complete-story prose form. Every word must carry weight; there is no room for warm-up, unnecessary description, or fat. This guide covers every subcategory, the markets that buy them, the contests that reward them, and the craft principles that make flash work.
Flash fiction subcategories
| Form | Word count |
|---|---|
| Six-word story | Exactly 6 words |
| Twitterature / tweet fiction | Under 280 characters |
| Drabble | Exactly 100 words |
| Dribble (Half-drabble) | Exactly 50 words |
| Microfiction | Under 300 words |
| Sudden fiction | Under 750 words |
| Flash fiction | Under 1,000 words |
| Nanofiction | Under 55 words |
Famous flash fiction examples
| Title | Words |
|---|---|
| For sale: baby shoes, never worn. | 6 |
| The Dinosaur | 7 |
| Taboo | 56 |
| Sticks | 392 |
| The Gospel of the Eels | ~700 |
| Popular Mechanics | 503 |
| Hills Like White Elephants | 1,469 |
Where to submit flash fiction
These markets accept flash fiction and represent the main targets for writers building a publication history.
| Market | Word limit |
|---|---|
| SmokeLong Quarterly | Under 1,000 words |
| Flash Fiction Online | 500–1,000 words |
| The New Flash Fiction Review | Up to 1,000 words |
| Daily Science Fiction | Up to 1,500 words |
| Wigleaf | Under 1,000 words |
| NFFD / National Flash Fiction Day | Under 500 words |
| Bath Flash Fiction Award | Under 300 words |
Always check current submission guidelines before submitting. Markets open and close reading periods frequently.
How to write effective flash fiction
- •Enter late, leave early. Start as close to the climax as possible. End before resolution becomes explicit.
- •One scene, one moment, one image. Multiple scenes almost always require more words than flash allows.
- •Implied backstory. A single detail can suggest decades; don't waste words explaining.
- •Active verbs only. Every “was” you can replace with a concrete verb saves space and strengthens prose.
- •The last line reframes everything. Great flash endings force a reread.
- •Cut the first paragraph. Most flash drafts start too early. Your second paragraph is usually the real opening.
- •Count every word. Use a word counter so you know exactly where you stand against contest limits.
Frequently asked questions
How many words is flash fiction?
Under 1,000 words. Most published flash runs 300–1,000.
What is the typical word count for flash fiction?
Most markets and contests cap at 500, 750, or 1,000 words exactly. The median published flash piece is around 500–750 words.
How many words is a drabble?
Exactly 100 words — the word count is the form.
Is microfiction the same as flash fiction?
Microfiction is a subset of flash. All microfiction is flash (under 300 words), but not all flash is micro.
Can flash fiction win awards?
Yes. Flash is eligible for Pushcart, O. Henry, Best American Short Stories, and multiple flash-specific awards (Bath Flash, NFFD, Wigleaf Top 50).
How long does it take to write a flash fiction piece?
Drafts can take an hour or less, but revision to a publishable standard often takes days. Flash revision is aggressive sentence-level cutting.
Count your flash
Every word matters. Track your word count in real time as you cut toward the limit.
Open Word Counter