Novel Word Counter
Track Your Fiction Writing Progress & Meet Publishing Goals
Essential Tool for Authors
Whether you're writing your first novel or your tenth, tracking word count is crucial for meeting publishing standards and maintaining writing momentum. Our novel word counter helps you track chapters, monitor progress, and ensure your manuscript meets genre-specific word count expectations.
Features
- ✓ Precise word counting
- ✓ Chapter length tracking
- ✓ Reading time estimation
- ✓ Character & page count
- ✓ Progress monitoring
Standard Novel Lengths
- • Novella: 20,000-50,000 words
- • Young Adult: 50,000-80,000 words
- • Adult Fiction: 70,000-100,000 words
- • Fantasy/Sci-Fi: 90,000-120,000 words
- • Epic Fantasy: 110,000-150,000+ words
Word Count Guidelines by Genre
Literary Fiction
80,000-100,000 words - Literary fiction typically has more flexibility, but most publishers prefer this range. Debut authors should aim for the lower end.
Mystery & Thriller
70,000-90,000 words - Fast-paced genres favor tighter word counts. Thrillers especially benefit from concise, tension-filled prose.
Romance
70,000-90,000 words - Contemporary romance sits at 70,000-80,000, while historical romance can stretch to 90,000-100,000 words.
Science Fiction & Fantasy
90,000-120,000 words - World-building requires more words. Epic fantasy can exceed 150,000 words, but debut authors should stay under 120,000.
Young Adult (YA)
50,000-80,000 words - YA fiction is generally shorter. Contemporary YA sits around 50,000-70,000, while YA fantasy can reach 80,000-90,000 words.
Middle Grade
20,000-55,000 words - Varies by age range. Lower middle grade (8-10) is 20,000-30,000 words, while upper middle grade (10-12) is 40,000-55,000 words.
Tips for Managing Your Novel's Word Count
1. Set Daily Writing Goals
Aim for 500-2,000 words per day. Consistency matters more than daily word count. NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) challenges writers to write 50,000 words in 30 days - about 1,667 words daily.
2. Track Chapter Length
Average novel chapters are 3,000-5,000 words. Consistent chapter length helps with pacing and reader experience.
3. Don't Worry About Word Count in First Draft
Write your story first. You can always cut or expand during revisions. Most manuscripts shrink 10-20% during editing.
4. Know When to Stop
If you've told your story completely, don't add unnecessary filler just to hit a target word count. Agents and publishers value tight writing.
5. Research Your Target Market
Check word counts of recent bestsellers in your genre. Publishing trends shift, and staying current helps your submission chances.
Why Novel Word Count Matters
Publishers and agents use word count as a quick indicator of marketability. A manuscript that's significantly over or under genre standards may face additional scrutiny. Production costs, shelf space, and reader expectations all factor into ideal word counts.
For self-published authors, word count affects pricing strategy, reader perception, and production costs. Understanding your genre's standards helps you position your book competitively.
Use our novel word counter throughout your writing journey - from first draft to final revision. Track your progress, celebrate milestones, and ensure your manuscript meets industry standards.