The number of words in a novel can vary widely depending on the genre, target audience, and author’s style. However, here are some general guidelines:
Typical Word Counts for Novels
- Short novel or novella: 20,000 to 50,000 words
- Standard novel: 70,000 to 100,000 words
- Long novel: 100,000 to 150,000 words
- Epic or very long novel: 150,000+ words
By Genre (approximate averages)
- Literary fiction: 70,000 to 100,000 words
- Romance: 70,000 to 90,000 words
- Science fiction & fantasy: 90,000 to 150,000 words (sometimes longer)
- Mystery & thrillers: 70,000 to 90,000 words
- Young adult: 50,000 to 80,000 words
- Middle grade: 30,000 to 50,000 words
Summary
A typical novel usually contains 70,000 to 100,000 words , but this can vary based on the story and genre. If you’re writing or reading a novel, this range is a good benchmark to keep in mind!
